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MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama sophomore Ken Williams (Houston, Texas) scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the first half to lead the Jaguars to a 69-52 exhibition win over Mobile Thursday night at the Mitchell Center.

The Jags overcame a slow start to take control late in the first half, then used a 7-0 run midway through the second half to pull away.

"It was exciting to get back out there," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "It's basketball season for us junkies and to get a chance to see all the guys run up and down the floor in front of fans and have officials out there and the lights turned on. We had a lot of different combinations tonight. Overall, it's just exciting to have that feel and I told the guys in the locker room, 'You need to be just as excited about this exhibition game as you are games one, five, 10, and 15.' We have to have this same enthusiasm throughout the season."

In addition to Williams' 19 points, two USA newcomers also reached double-digit points: freshman Taishaun Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to score 14 and junior John Brown (Charlotte, N.C.) totaled 13. Seven of Johnson's 14 points came at the free-throw line.

"With Taishaun, you have a freshman that came in and played really well," Graves said. "For the most part, he was under control and able to get to the free-throw line. That's one thing I thought we did a tremendous job of was getting to the free-throw line. We didn't necessarily rely on the 3-point shot. Any time we play we are going to shoot 50 to 55 times and if we're right around that 20 to 22 mark on 3-point attempts, we have a nice balance of taking perimeter shots and getting to the free throw line. I'm very pleased with that aspect."

USA led from the outset, but fell into a shooting slump midway through the first half to trail 15-13. After Williams and Brown hit a couple of 3s in the first two-plus minutes, the Jaguars converted just once from the field in almost 11 minutes before sophomore Georgi Boyanov (Lovech, Bulgaria) nailed a triple at the 6:53 mark to spark a 19-6 run and lead 32-23 at the break.

The teams traded scores in the second half before Johnson and sophomore Austin Karazsia (Linton, Ind.) combined for seven points in a 9-1 rally to give South Alabama its biggest lead of the contest at 50-34.

Williams, who averaged four points better than his season average in the final five games of last year, picked up right where he left off. He accounted for nine of the team's first 15 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second half.

"I think it is a carry over," Graves said. "He was playing really well at the end of last year. He had an outstanding summer with his body, conditioning-wise. He's a lot stronger, and that confidence has carried over into the fall workouts. I think he is more comfortable with what we're wanting him to do offensively and the way we have spaced the floor and the options that we have for him. It's only going to continue to get better. I'm very excited about that."

Boyanov scored six points and grabbed four rebounds, blocked four shots and had three steals in 30 minutes of action. Senior Dionte Ferguson (Prattville, Ala.) shared game-high honors with junior Barrington Stevens III (Allen, Texas) with eight rebounds and added four steals.

Johnson dished out a game-best three assists and nabbed three steals.

The 2014-15 campaign officially begins Nov. 14 against Carroll (Mont.).

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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