Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will step outside Sun Belt Conference play Sunday when it hosts NJIT at the Mitchell Center.

The Jaguars and the Highlanders will tip off at 2:05 p.m. Video—available to subscribers of South Alabama All-Access—and live stats will be available on USAJaguars.com, in-game updates will be provided via Twitter at @SouthAlaMBK, and fans can listen to the game on 710 AM or on iHeartRadio.com.

It will be the first meeting between the two schools. South Alabama hasn't played a non-conference opponent this late in the season since taking on Presbyterian Feb. 25, 2008.

"I think it's a good change of pace and we'll have the opportunity to play an opponent that we've never played before," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "The thing about scheduling is, it's hard to get home games, so when you have the opportunity to schedule a home game, you have to jump on it. The added bonus is, when we return the game, Abdul Lewis will get the chance to go back to Newark and play in front of family and friends. I think that's really important to do."

USA (6-13, 4-5) will look to rebound after Thursday's 64-53 loss at Appalachian State tied the team's season low in points and shoot just 36 percent from the floor with only two 3-pointers.

The Jaguars had shot 50 percent or better in at last one half in each of the last three games and averaged 80.3 points in their previous seven contests.

"Offensively, our inability to get in any kind of rhythm in transition really affected how we scored the ball," Graves said. "When you're taking the ball out of the net, whether it's from their transition scores or giving up 13 offensive rebounds in a low-possession game, it really limited our opportunities to get out in transition and I think it frustrated us throughout the entire game.

"On the other end of the floor, our transition defense could improve. We gave up way too many points—18 as a matter of fact—in transition. It was really a lack of communication and effort. Those things are inexcusable. You have to be willing to talk and play hard. Eighteen points is over 25 percent of their points and that's not acceptable."

NJIT has shown a remarkable turnaround under head coach Jim Engles. The Highlanders went a combined 6-83 in their first three years at the Division I level, including 0-29 in 2007-08, and 1-30 in Engles' first season in 2008-09, but improved to 10 wins in year two and have averaged 14.8 victories the last four seasons, and stand at 11-10 in 2014-15.

The Highlanders, the only independent in Division I men's basketball, pulled off the upset of the season in December, defeating No. 17/16 Michigan 72-70 in Ann Arbor, and led at halftime at No. 7 Villanova and Marquette, nearly pulling off the upset of the Golden Eagles before falling 62-57.

"Coach Engles does an outstanding job with his team," Graves noted. "I think he has one of the hardest jobs in America playing as the only independent. He's put together a very good schedule for his team and they've been very competitive in beating Michigan and playing Marquette and Villanova close. They're excited to play Division I opponents this time of year because scheduling for them is hard during the conference season. We've got to be focused and ready to play, and understand that it's an opportunity to put on the uniform; you only get so many days to do that. We need to be ready to go Sunday afternoon."

Damon Lynn, the team's leading scorer at 16.7 points per game, is one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation with 3.71 per contest, fourth-best in the nation, and leads all DI players with 213 long-range attempts. He tied his season high with 27 points his last time out at Maine, his 10th 20-point performance of the year.

"He is a dynamic scorer," Graves stated. "His ability to get the 3-point shot off is quite remarkable. We're going to have to do a great job of not allowing him to get in any sort of rhythm."

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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