J-State Tigers start strong in SWAC conference play

Tigers deliver for home crowd

By: Kenny Bunch, Sports Editor

Posted: 1/23/09

There's a reason why the Jackson State Tiger basketball team played such a difficult schedule to begin their season: It helps them become a stronger team for conference play. After tough road games against Kansas, Arizona State and Texas A&M in December, the Tigers have begin SWAC competition ready to make a run for the 2009 SWAC Title.

"I don't like our record, but I like our team," stated head coach Tevester Anderson, as the Tigers headed into conference play in January.

Jackson State opened their season with a 1-11 record, with their one win coming against North Carolina Central. However, the Tigers proceeded by winning four of their first five SWAC games, including a four-game win streak following their SWAC opening loss to Alabama State in Montgomery.

However, the Tigers notched a win in Huntsville over Alabama A&M and finally headed home, to the comforts of the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center to take on rival Alcorn State. The home game was the Tigers' first regular season game in Jackson, and they definitely did not disappoint. Spearheaded by a 30-point effort by junior forward Grant Maxey, Jackson State easily defeated the Braves, 83-63.

"We just didn't want to disappoint our home crowd," said Maxey, who also added nine rebounds.

The Tigers went on to defeat the Jaguars from Southern University, in a game televised by ESPNU two nights later, 83-74, and they quickly found themselves on a three-game win streak. The streak was big for the Tigers, who had grown accustom to the constant defeats they experienced in November and December. "(The streak) sends a message in the SWAC that we are still the team to beat," said senior Darrion Griffin.

Over the long weekend, the Tigers split wins between Texas Southern and Prairie View, beating TSU 76-63 on Saturday night. The Tigers were led by Garrison Johnson, who reeled off a game-high 28 points. However, JSU's four-game win streak ended Monday night, as the Panthers of Prairie View A&M defeated the Tigers 70-59.

The Tigers will take on Grambling State, in Grambling, La., on Saturday, Jan. 24. The tip is set for 7:30 pm. The Tigers will then return home for a short, two-game homestand against defending SWAC Champion Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas Pine-Bluff next week.