Hattiesburg, MS (Sports Network) - All five starters scored in double figures
for Southern Miss as the Golden Eagles posted a 78-71 victory over the
Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the first round of the National
Invitational Tournament at Reed Green Coliseum.
Jonathan Mills had 16 points and nine rebounds to pace Southern Miss (26-9)
which will take on Louisiana Tech in the second round. Dwayne Davis added 15
points, Jerrold Brooks netted 14 and Neil Watson and Daveon Boardingham each
chipped in 10.
Saah Nimley had a game-high 24 points, Arlon Harper added 18 and Mathiang Muo
registered 16 for Charleston Southern (19-13).
Despite shooting 50 percent from the field and holding Charleston Southern to
33.3 percent, the Golden Eagles held just a 36-32 lead at halftime. The
Buccaneers stayed close by hitting 8-of-13 tries from the free-throw line.
Southern Miss improved to 62.5 percent shooting in the second half and made
good on 8-of-11 from the free-throw line to seal the victory. Charleston
Southern hung around by hitting eight shots from beyond the arc but shot 42.4
percent in the period overall and got just three points from the charity
stripe.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Buccaneers 30-14 in the paint and 18-11 off
turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
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