Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will play just its second home game of the year when the Jaguars welcome city rival Spring Hill to the Mitchell Center Monday night.

Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans can follow the action via live stats on USAJaguars.com, Twitter at @SouthAlaMBK, audio on 710 AM or www.iheart.com/live/newsradio-710-wntm-1, or video on JagNationTV.com.

"I'm very happy to be back in the Mitchell Center," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "It feels like it's been years since we played a game here at home. I know I'm excited and I believe our players will be excited to get back in front of our fans and students."

The Jags (2-4) are coming off a 69-56 defeat at Denver Saturday, which saw them shoot a season-low 29.2 percent for 20 points in the first half, and fall behind by 14 at intermission, before converting at a 50-percent clip in the second and rally within single digits late in the contest.

"Style of play was a big factor in the game," Graves said. "We allowed our inability to score the ball affect how we were guarding, and consequently, when you play Denver, with their switching man (defense) and how they play their gaps, we really got frustrated and took some quick shots which compounded the problem.

"In the second half, we were able to get a few more stops, score the ball and play with a little more confidence. We got used to their defense and as the game wore on, we were more effective. You can gain some confidence playing against that style and hopefully we can use that down the road when we see it again."

South Alabama averaged 81.5 points in the two games prior to Saturday, and had shot better than 50 percent in each half in its win over IUPUI last week.

The Jaguars will be going against a Spring Hill team that is giving up 82.2 points this season, including a season-high 97 Saturday against William Carey.

"We're not going to do anything different and what we have to continue to do is stay aggressive," Graves said. "In the Denver game we were very passive and we didn't cut hard or drive the ball enough. We have to get back to playing with great pace, being aggressive on our drive-and-kicks, and finishing around the rim. We missed probably five or six layups and two dunk attempts, and those are points you've got to have in a game like that. Tomorrow we've got to do a better job of attacking the paint, but we have to finish."

Offensively the Badgers (1-5) are led by Sawyer Glick's team-best 18.5 points per contest with 14 triples. He is averaging 21.5 points in his last two games.

"First and foremost, Spring Hill does a great job in their half-court offense with their motion and screening and passing the ball," Graves said. "Glick does an outstanding job of reading screens and setting his feet. He's shooting over 40 percent from the '3' and has a really high basketball IQ. We've got to play the full 30-second shot clock; we can never relax. We have to stay disciplined in guarding a guy like that for the whole 30 seconds."

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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