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MOBILE, Ala. – Josh Ajayi recorded a double-double to lead the University of South Alabama men's basketball team to a 75-59 win over Arkansas State Thursday in Sun Belt Conference action at the Mitchell Center.

Ajayi finished with a team-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to one assist and two steals. Herb McGee and Trahe Mitchell finished with 12 points apiece.

 USA (10-7, 3-3 Sun Belt) will return to action Saturday when it travels to Little Rock, Ark., for a 4:30 p.m. Sun Belt Conference contest against Little Rock.

 GAME FACTS
- USA went on a 7-0 scoring run to open the game. Herb McGee hit a three pointer for the first points of the game, followed by a second-chance layup by Chad Lott and layup by John Pettway following an ASU turnover. The Red Wolves cut the Jag lead to 7-3 with a three pointer by Canberk Kus, but USA used a second 7-0 run to build a 14-3 lead at the first media timeout of the half. 
- The Red Wolves cut the USA lead to 22-16 on a three pointer by Marquis Eaton, but the Jags went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a dunk from Trhae Mitchell, 3-pointer from Josh Ajayi and driving layup from Pettway, for a 29-16 lead. 
- South Alabama went on a 6-0 run early in the second half, capped by a 3-point play from Josh Ajayi, to build a 17-point advantage at 48-31.
- USA used a 6-0 run late in the game, highlighted by four straight free throws from Mitchell, for a 69-51 lead. 

NOTES
- Ajayi's double-double marked his second in as many games, and his sixth of the season. It is his 10th career double-double with 20 points (T-3rd in school history with Rick Sinclair). The Jags are 6-0 this season when Ajayi has a double-double, and 5-0 when he has 20 points.
- McGee tied his season high in points (12) and three pointers (3) in the game.
- The Jags attempted a season low in 3-pointers (7), but posted a new season high in 3-point percentage (57.1).
- USA totaled a season high in both free throws (25) and free throw attempts (35). 
- South Alabama won points in the paint 32-22. The Jags' last five opponents have averaged just 15.6 points in the paint.
- The Jaguars are 6-0 when shooting 50 percent in the first half. 
- USA is 9-0 when outshooting opponents, and 9-1 when tying or outrebounding the opposition. 

QUOTES
Head Coach Richie Riley
- On the win:
"This was another step in the growth of our team tonight. After the loss at ULM, we had a team meeting and got a lot off of our chests. Our guys were brutally honest with each other and that's the only way to get true growth. To this point they have stood by their word of the changes we needed to make. After coming out with a win on the road, we came home and continued the process of growth with a win tonight. We had a great start tonight. Our energy and focus was as good as it has been which showed itself on the scoreboard. When this team is focused we have a chance to be really good and beat anyone in this league. Obviously if we are not focused we can get beat by anyone in this league. I was proud of our focus which lead to our energy and the competitive fight of our guys on the court tonight. The way we operated on the backboard tonight was really impressive. Between [Chad] Lott and [Josh] Ajayi we had nine offensive rebounds and we converted on majority of those opportunities. Also, our defensive energy was important. We held them under 60. A big part in that was keeping them off the free throw line. They are one of the best teams in the country in terms of free throw attempts per game and we did a nice job of limiting them to 13, a couple of which were late when we subbed under two minutes." 

UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action Saturday when it travels to Little Rock, Ark., for a 4:30 p.m. Sun Belt Conference contest against Little Rock.

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

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