MOBILE, Ala. – Javon Franklin scored a career-high 22 points, with 16 coming in the first half as the University of South Alabama defeated Southern Miss 85-55 on Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center.
 
The Jaguars (7-2) had four individuals finish in double digits. Jay Jay Chandler finished with 16 points, Diante Smith posted 11 and Alex Anderson chipped in 10.
 
Tyler Stevenson led Southern Miss (4-4) with 18 points and six rebounds, while Walyn Napper added 16 points and eight assists.
 
Date: 12/1
Place: Mitchell Center
Final Score: South Alabama 85, Southern Miss 55
Records: South Alabama 7-2, Southern Miss 4-4
 
GAME FACTS
- South opened the contest with a 24-4 run while limiting Southern Miss to 2-of-10 shooting and forced seven turnovers over the first eight minutes.
- USM scored 10 of the next 14 points to cut the lead to 14, 28-14, with just under eight minutes remaining in the half.
- USA answered with a 13-4 spurt to extend the lead, 41-18, with two minutes left.
- The Jaguars outscored Southern Miss 21-4 to start the second half, highlighted by two three-pointers from Kayo Goncalves to grab a 38-point lead, 66-28, with just over 14 minutes remaining.
- South Alabama outscored Southern Miss 48-30 in the paint.
- South forced 15 turnovers, converting those into 27 points.
 
NOTES
- USA has won five out its last six games in the series against Southern Miss.
- The 30-point win is the second largest in series history for the Jags; the largest was a 123-89 victory on Dec. 14, 1974.
- It was the most points scored by the Jaguars in the series since a 92-85 win on Feb. 14, 1991, over the then-ninth-ranked Golden Eagle.
- The margin of victory was also the largest for the Jags over an NCAA Division I opponent since a Dec. 11, 2011, 102-62 win over Alcorn State.
- USA has won six straight and is 5-0 at home this season.
- South Alabama shot 60 percent (18-30) from the field in the first half and 56.7 percent (34-60) overall, both season-best figures.
- The Jags have forced 15 or more turnovers in eight of nine games this season.
- Franklin was 10-of-10 shooting to record his first game in double figures since posting 18 points at Wichita State on Nov. 13.
- His perfect night from the field put him third all-time in program history for most made field goals made without a miss; only Samuel Hines (12-12) vs. Auburn on Dec. 21, 1991, and Brandon Davis (11-11) at ULM on Jan. 8, 2009, finished with more.
- Chandler has scored in double digits in five straight contests, and he also dished out a career-high six assists.
- Goncalves has made at least one three-pointer in 22 consecutive games dating back to last season.
- Smith tied a career-best with three three-pointers and added a career-high five assists.
 
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richie Riley
- Opening statement:
"I was proud of the way we came out tonight, it was the best start that we've had all season. Tonight we came out ready to go with a different level of energy, our approach was much better. It was something we talked about after Monday, we were fortunate to survive Monday as bad as we played and as low as our energy was; we got after our guys pretty good and they came out and responded. From the tip we were ready to go defensively, we turned defense into offense and got some easy baskets, our execution was good. We hit some threes early on which was huge, we moved the ball much better than we have been. I'm proud of our group, if they can respond when you get after them and criticize their play that's the tale of a team that has a chance to be good and improve throughout the season. They certainly did that tonight, and as long as we can stay with that attitude this group can continue to get better."
 
- On Javon Franklin:
"He was back to being Frank. At Wichita and Alabama he played his tail off, his energy and production was off the charts. He took a little dip with his energy level, and Frank is an energy dude. When his energy is right and he's playing with max effort he's special, and tonight he was special. We went to him right away and he got a basket early and didn't miss a shot all night, he got on the offensive glass, got steals and got out and finished. He was special, and he's a game changer for us when he's like that. I want him to do well because he's such a great kid, he smiles all the time, he's hilarious and fun to be around so I tell him all the time to come out with max energy and effort so that you can be great because I want you to be great. Tonight he was, and we're going to need that moving forward; his presence inside is huge for our team."
 
- On the student section:
"I want to thank our students for showing up and being loud, it made a huge difference with the energy our guys played with tonight. I'm begging them to come back. We have a good group of dudes, we're fun to watch, hopefully they enjoyed it tonight."
 
UP NEXT
- USA will head back on the road to play Jacksonville State on Saturday at 7:30 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).

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—USA—