MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team cruised past Spring Hill 102-41 in the season opener on Tuesday night at the Mitchell Center.
 
Five different Jaguars (1-0) scored in double digits on the night, led by Jay Jay Chandler's 21 points. Diante Smith scored 16, Kayo Goncalves posted 14, Javon Franklin supplied 12 and Alex Anderson added 11.
 
Jaden Gray paced Spring Hill with eight points and the Badgers had three others score seven.
 
Date: 11/9
Place: Mitchell Center
Final Score: South Alabama 102, Spring Hill 41
Records: South Alabama 1-0, Spring Hill (exhibition)
 
GAME FACTS
- The Jags opened the game on a 15-3 run over the first six minutes, highlighted by eight points from Franklin.
- South held Spring Hill to 3-for-14 shooting for nearly 11 minutes, expanding the lead to 27-5 with 9:19 remaining in the half.
- USA closed the half on a 25-12 run, pushing the lead to 52-17 into the break.
- After Spring Hill scored the first four points to start the second half, Goncalves scored eight points — including hitting two three-pointers — to extend the lead to 39 points with 15:13 remaining.
- Over the next seven minutes, the Jags went on a 22-6 run to stretch the lead to 84-29 with eight minutes left in the game.
- USA outrebounded the Badgers, 58-38, and scored 50 points in the paint.
 
NOTES
- South Alabama has won 17 straight against Spring Hill and improved to 22-3 in the series.  
- With tonight's win, South has now won 30 consecutive home openers dating back to 1992.
- The Badgers were the first opponent to not make a three-pointer against the Jags since Jan. 3, 2002.
- The 61-point margin of victory is the largest in series history.
- South scored over 100 points for the first time since a 103-81 win over Flagler (Fla.) on Dec. 12, 2020.
- Chandler tied a career-high with 21 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
- Smith set a career-high in points, three-pointers made (3), three-pointers attempted (8), rebounds (7) and steals (3).
- Franklin's points (12), rebounds (9), field goals made (6), field goals attempted (8) and minutes played (20:08) totals were all the highest of his career.
- Anderson posted 11 points and seven rebounds in his first action as a Jag.
- Tyrell Jones handed out a career-high four assists.
- Ten different Jags scored at least four points on the night.
 
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richie Riley
- Opening statement:
"We obviously have a lot of new guys out here, we have 10 new guys, some young some older. This was their first time under the lights with us here. I was really impressed with how unselfish we played. I was impressed with the energy we played with, especially early on. Those are things that equate to winning. We certainly weren't perfect. I think we could play a lot better, we could shoot a lot better, we could have limited a few more mistakes. I did love how our guys came out with the right approach, the mature approach to the game and it impacted our winning to be honest. Two years ago, we played these guys [Spring Hill] and it was like 98-72 and tonight we came out with the approach we wanted to impact the game defensively early which we did. We were able to force some turnovers and get out and run which showcased some of their athleticism. I liked that even though we were not as sharp as we need to be offensively or we need to be but we had value because we only turned it over nine times. We didn't let our energy drop because we weren't shooting the ball like we usually do. I was pleased with the first night under the lights. Was it perfect? No. Do we have a lot of work to do? Yes. For a lot of guys in their first one out there in the Mitch I was impressed." 
 
- On roster depth:
"It feels good to have some depth. It feels good because we can play a lot of different ways. We hope to get everyone healthy in the next couple of weeks. We have probably got 10 guys who deserve to be out there but I can only play five. So, every day at practice it's competitive. These guys come out with the approach that they are trying to earn minutes and that's how some of our guys played tonight. When you get ahead by a certain margin sometimes your energy dips but for the most part our guys kept competing because every possession out there they are fighting for a seat at the table." 
 
- On upcoming road games at Wichita State and Alabama:
I think it's going to be really tough. I think pretty tough is an understatement. Wichita State is a national tournament team and one of the toughest venues in the country. It's a mad house and they have a really good team. It's going to take a heck of an effort so we need to get down there and get to work. Obviously, our headliner is Alabama. It's a great opportunity for us because they are one of the best programs in the country. They are a great program. When you speak about Alabama basketball you put them in the conversation with the best teams in the country. So, we are playing two really good teams and it helps us see where we are at. We want to play those games. 

UP NEXT
- South Alabama will travel to Wichita State on Saturday at 3 p.m. (CST).
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give
 
—USA—