A Marathon of a Night: SU vs. Alabama A&M Doubleheader

All eyes were on the F.G. Clark Activity Center for senior night. It was a series of intense and emotional moments as the men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted a doubleheader. Both teams squared off against Alabama A&M for the final game of the regular season. It was bittersweet for the seniors as it was their last time playing as a jaguar at home. As a result, both squads were looking to reign victorious going into the SWAC tournament next week.

The girls tipped off at 3:00 PM, and for the most part, the girls controlled the tempo throughout most of the game. Led by senior guard Genovea Johnson and sophomore guard Aleighyah Fontenot, the Lady Jags (15-14, 12-6 in conference) cruised through the first half leading by seven with a score of 34-27.

At halftime, Johnson and Fontenot had an impressive 8 and 9 points. Senior guard

Taylor Williams also added 7 points toward the halftime total. The Lady Jags played tremendously well on the defensive end, turning that defense into offense. They scored 10 points off turnovers and held a lead of eleven at one point.

In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs (1414, 12-6 in conference) began to make a push towards the end of the third. That’s when things started to heat up as both teams had to be pulled apart after an exchange of words from opposing sides.

Going into the fourth, the Lady Bulldogs pulled within one, but the Lady Jags kept their composure and rallied together. Genovea would go on a relentless path to the basket scoring 6 points in the fourth, helping her team push a 13-3 run. The women eventually beat the Bulldogs with a score of 66-53, sending the seniors off with a win in their last regular season at home. Since the regular season is over, the girls are now focused on the SWAC tournament.

“I know without a doubt, in my mind, if we play good basketball, quality basketball on both ends of the court and execute, knock down shots, and rebound the basketball we can win the tournament. I said that from day one, and I really believe it,” said Coach Funchess about the upcoming tournament. With the win, the Lady Jags are the 4th seed in the SWAC Tournament, holding the tiebreaker over Prairie View A&M, who they will face on

March 9th at 5:30 P.M. in Birmingham, Alabama, at Bartow Arena.

On the men’s end, there was a plethora of events; that transpired before the game could even take place. The power in the mini dome

See MARATHON page 5