SAVANNAH, Ga. | South Alabama men's basketball proved too much for Evansville in the second half, pulling away for a 78-67 victory at the Enmarket Arena in their first game of the Hostilo Hoops Community Classic Friday afternoon.
 
Isaiah Moore led the Jaguars in points for the fourth straight game, and his third consecutive game with 20+ points, as he recorded 21 points and nine assists. Kevin Samuel notched 17 points on 80% shooting to go along with eight rebounds, and Owen White made four 3-pointers and led the team in +/- with +16.
 
GAME FACTS (HOW IT HAPPENED)

• South jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead over the first three minutes of the game.
• The Jags and Purple Aces went back-and-forth throughout the first half, with the biggest lead of the frame being Evansville +7 at the 12:15 mark.
• Moore's jumper as time expired in the first half tied the game at 37 going into the break.
• The Jags out-rebounded the Aces, 19-15, in the first half.
• South Alabama started the second half with an 18-8 run to create a 10-point lead with 12:37 to play.
• A three-pointer by Greg Parham II extended the Jags lead to 15 at the 9:24 mark of the second half.
• Evansville cut the lead to nine with 2:48 to go, but White immediately answered with a three-pointer to maintain the double-digit advantage.
• The Jaguars went 3-of-4 from the free throw line over the final two minutes to help seal the victory.

 
NOTES

• Moore had his third straight 20-point game and fourth straight game of leading the team in scoring.
• He was also one assist shy of his second double-double of the season.
• Samuel shot 80% from the floor (8-of-10).
• Owen White made four 3-pointers, one off his career-high.
• The Jags made 10 3-pointers for the second time this season (vs. Mobile).
• South had a 17-7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
• Evansville committed 10 turnovers, the fourth time this season the Jags have forced double-digit turnovers.
• The Jaguars shot better than 50% in the second half, the third time this season they have done so.

UP NEXT
The Jags have a quick turnaround and face off against Towson Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is at 1:30 p.m. central time at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Ga.
 
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