MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama Red team used a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer and an 11-0 run to start the second half to defeat the Blue team 78-74 in a men’s basketball scrimmage Tuesday afternoon at the Striplin Practice Facility.

The Red team got 21 points and 14 rebounds from junior Augustine Rubit (Houston, Texas) in his first action since injuring a toe earlier this month, and 14 points each from juniors Antoine Allen (Baltimore, Md.) and Dre Conner (Lauderhill, Fla.).

“I thought we pushed the ball good and our defense was relatively good,” said head coach Ronnie Arrow. “Overall, we were glad to see Aug back doing what he needed to do. We didn’t have any injuries, which is always good. So we just need to wait and see what happens tomorrow. We need to get better and better.

“Overall, for the first scrimmage, I thought it went pretty well.”

The Red team trailed for most of the first half but closed to within 33-28 at halftime on a triple at the buzzer by Conner.

The momentum continued after the break as the Reds scored the first 11 points of the second half, getting six from Rubit and three from senior Freddie Goldstein (Milwaukee, Wis.) to lead 39-33.

“I thought Freddie was solid for us, playing the ‘1’ and the ‘2,’” Arrow said.

The advantage stretched to 60-46 on a 10-0 spurt by the Red team, thanks to four straight conversions from the floor by four different players. Rubit started and finished the run with a pair of jumpers.

Trailing 72-61 with 1:37 remaining, the Blue team mounted a comeback that pulled them within two at the 15-second mark, but free throws from Allen and Jeremy Jones (Chicago, Ill.) held off the rally.

The Blue team received 23 points from sophomore Mychal Ammons (Vicksburg, Miss.) and 20 from junior Xavier Roberson (Houston, Texas).

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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