Tigers open SWAC play with 87-70 win over Alcorn State

LORMAN, Miss. – The Tigers of Texas Southern University opened Southwestern Athletic Conference play Saturday with an 87-70 win at Alcorn State.
 
John Jones scored 17 points and Trayvon Reed posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers (6-8).
 
Maurice Howard scored a game-high 18 points to lead Alcorn State (4-9, 0-1 SWAC).
 
The hot-shooting Tigers shot better than 50 percent from the floor in both halves, finishing the game by shooting 55 percent (33 of 60). TSU shot 52 percent (12 of 23) from 3-point range.
 
TSU’s win was its 24th consecutive victory over Alcorn State dating back to the 2006 season.
 
The Tigers slowly built a 10-point lead throughout the first half, and then used a 13-3 run between 6:15 and 2:16 marks of the half to establish 41-21 lead. After Alcorn closed the gap at the end of the first half, a 16-4 run to open the second period stretched TSU’s lead to 59-36 with 15:16 remaining in the game.
 
Devocio Butler scored 15 points for the Tigers, while Jeremy Combs chipped in 14 points for TSU. Jalyn Patterson recorded 12 points and nine assists for the Tigers.
 
TSU returns to action Monday when they visit Southern. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.