Near Misses and Major Blowouts: Recapping the Week, February 23-27

No One on the Corner Have SWAC-a Like Us
Monday, February 23
Alabama St. - 56
Southern - 54
This game certainly lived up to the hype. Alabama St. came into the contest one game ahead of Southern in the SWAC standings. It was clear on Monday night that they are evenly matched teams. No team led by more than 5 in the first half, and Southern took just a 4 point lead into the break. Southern led by as many as 7 in the second half, but Alabama St. chipped away at the lead little by little. The Hornets finally tied the game at 52 with just under 2:30 left to play. Southern regained the lead on their next possession, but Jamel Waters was not going to let his team lose. He got fouled on Alabama St.'s next possession and made both free throws to tie the game. Southern had a couple of chances to take the lead again but could not convert, so Alabama St. had the opportunity to hold for a final shot. With just 0.5 seconds left, Waters hit a contested jumper to give his team the lead and victory. He finished the game with 14 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals for the Hornets who remain in a first place tie with Texas Southern atop the SWAC standings. Those two teams will meet on Saturday in a showdown for SWAC supremacy. Southern was led by 11 points from Trelun Banks.

A-Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away
Wednesday, February 25
North Florida - 76
Florida Gulf Coast - 62

Florida Gulf Coast has only lost 2 A-Sun conference games this season. Unfortunately for them, both of those games came against North Florida. The Ospreys have Dunk City's number winning both games by 16 and 14 points respectively. Wednesday night's loss was FGCU's first loss in their last 11 games and only their 3rd home loss all season. North Florida has won 12 of 14 now, though. The Ospreys got 22 points and 13 rebounds from Beau Beech and 18 points from Jalen Nesbitt to put FGCU away. They can now lock up the number one seed in the A-Sun Tournament with a win over Stetson on Saturday. FGCU should at least take solace in the fact that the two teams may meet again in the A-Sun Championship game with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line.  



A-10 Out of 10
Wednesday, February 25
Davidson - 60
Rhode Island - 59
If Rhode Island misses out on the NCAA Tournament this season, they can blame Jack Gibbs. Davidson's Sophomore guard hit a 3-pointer with :13 left to put his Wildcats up by 1 after Rhode Island rallied from being down as many as 12 in the second half. Rhode Island came all the way back and held a 4 point lead with under a minute to play. Tyler Kalinoski made a layup for Davidson and got fouled with :51 seconds left. He hit the free throw to cut the lead to 1. Hassan Martin was fouled for Rhode Island and made 1 of 2 free throws. That set up the Gibbs 3-pointer that would give Davidson the win. The teams are now tied with Dayton and VCU in a 4-way logjam atop the A-10 standings, and their at-large profiles are amazingly similar. The head-to-head win gives Davidson the clear leg-up. Rhode Island still has a chance at a solid win against Dayton and then will need to make a run in the A-10 Tournament. Davidson can perhaps seal a bid with a win against VCU on March 5.

I'm Feeling Very Colonial Today. Powdered Wigs for All!
Wednesday, February 25
UNC-Wilmington - 74
James Madison - 54
UNC-Wilmington will need some help to win the CAA regular season title. The Seahawks lost both of their games against William & Mary with whom they are tied for first. The Tribe would have to lose their regular-season finale against Drexel for UNC-Wilmington to win outright. Still, after Wednesday night's game against James Madison, the Seahawks might be emerging as the team to beat in the crowded Colonial. UNCW never trailed in the game and led by at least 13 points for the last 17 minutes of the game. They were led by Addison Spruill's 18 points and 9 rebounds. The Seahawks end the season against Elon.

Southern Basketballin'
Thursday, February 26
Wofford - 76
Mercer - 72
Another team has claimed their spot in at least the NIT. The Wofford Terriers won the regular season Southern Conference championship on Thursday night by beating Mercer. Spencer Collins had 26 for the Terriers who shot better than 54% on the game. Mercer will be the three seed in the SoCon Tournament, but they will have to get through Wofford at some point if they are going to win that tournament and make the Big Dance. They have played Wofford tough both times they played them, losing by 3 and 4 points respectively, but close will not get them to the NCAA Tournament.

C-USA: From Sea to Shining...Texas
Thursday, February 26
Louisiana Tech - 77
UTEP - 60
In a game that was for first place in C-USA, Louisiana Tech proved they are the better team. The Bulldogs won by 17 and took a one game lead in the loss column. With just two conference games remaining, Louisiana Tech is poised to take the regular season crown. It was a good bounce back game for Louisiana Tech who got crushed by Old Dominion last weekend. LaTech was led by Raheem Appleby and Kenneth Smith who both scored 17 points. Cedrick Lang had 18 points and 10 rebounds for UTEP.