LAFAYETTE, La. – Charles Manning Jr. finished with 20 points and Javon Franklin added 14 as the University of South Alabama men's basketball team defeated Louisiana 77-70 on Thursday night at the Cajundome.
 
Kayo Goncalves posted 13 points and Jay Jay Chandler chipped in 11 as the Jags (13-5) scored 57 points in the second half to pull away for the victory.
 
Louisiana's Jordan Brown had a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Theo Akwuba scored 12 points and pulled down 9 rebounds to lead the Ragin' Cajuns (8-8).
 
Date: 1/20
Place: Cajundome
Final Score: South Alabama 77, Louisiana 70
Records: South Alabama 13-5 (3-2), Louisiana 8-8 (3-3)
 
GAME FACTS
- Louisiana jumped out to an early 14-9 lead, going 7-for-11 from the field over the first seven minutes.
- Durey Cadwell knocked down a three-pointer to push the Ragin' Cajuns lead to double-digits, 21-11, with 8:51 remaining in the half.
- USA held Louisiana to zero field goals over the last 8:51 and outscored ULL 9-5 to cut the deficit to 26-20 at the break.
- The Ragin' Cajuns opened the half on a 6-2 run to extend the lead to 10, 32-22.
- South responded with a 16-6 run, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Manning Jr. and Goncalves to tie the game at 38-38, with 13:47 left in the contest.
- Tyrell Jones connected on a three-pointer to put the Jags out front, 50-48, with just under nine minutes left.
- The Jags scored the 11 of the next 13 points to push the lead to double-figures, 61-50 with 5:29 remaining.
- Diante Smith knocked down a three-pointer to extend the South Alabama lead to 16, 66-50, with 3:42 to go in the game.
- Louisiana answered with a 18-7 run to cut the Jag lead to five, 73-68, with 14 seconds left.
- Chandler knocked down four free throws over the final 14 seconds to secure the 77-70 victory.
 
 
NOTES
- With the win, South is now 31-28 all-time against Louisiana and has won four out of the last five games in the series.
- South Alabama handed Louisiana's second loss at home this season.
- South improved to 13-5 and is off to its best start since the 2007-08 team started 13-3.
- USA shot a blistering 75 percent (21-28) in the second-half, the highest percentage in any half this year for the Jags.
- The last time South Alabama shot 70 percent or better in a half was an 81 percent effort on Feb. 20, 2020, against Appalachian State.
- The Jags finished a perfect 6-for-6 on three-pointers in the second half.
- The Jaguars dished out a season-best 18 assists.
- South Alabama's 57 points in the second half were a season-best for any half.
- Jones saw his first action since an injury at Wichita State. Jones finished with nine points, five rebounds and dished out a career-best five assists in 27 minutes.
- Chandler has scored in double-figures in 16 consecutive contests.
- Goncalves finished 3-for-5 from three and has hit at least three three-pointers in nine games this season.
- Manning Jr. has scored 20 or more points in eight games and has led the team in scoring in 11 contests.
- Franklin has scored at least 14 points in eight of the last nine games.
 
 
UP NEXT
- USA will travel to ULM on Saturday at 2 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—