Jackson State University concluded its regular season with an 85-77 win over Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup at the Lee E. Williams AAC on Thursday night.
Jayme Mitchell Jr. led Jackson State, scoring 27 points, including four three-pointers and making 11 of 12 free throws. He also contributed nine rebounds and two assists. Devin Ree added 17 points and was perfect from the free throw line, hitting all eight attempts. Jalen Tatum scored 12 points, while Dionjahe Thomas came off the bench to add 11 points.
Jackson State finished the game shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range. The team converted 80 percent of its free throws, making 40 out of 50 attempts. Mississippi Valley State shot better from the field at 51.2 percent and made half of its three-point shots but ultimately fell short.
Michael James led Mississippi Valley State with 22 points as one of three players in double figures for his team.
In the first half, Jackson State struggled offensively, shooting just under 30 percent from the floor and less than 29 percent from beyond the arc, while making nearly three-quarters of their free throws. Mississippi Valley State had a stronger start, hitting half their shots overall and more than half their attempts from long range.
The second half saw improved shooting for Jackson State, who made over half their field goals and converted on three out of four three-point attempts. The team also continued to perform well at the free throw line in the second period.
Jackson State outrebounded its opponent and recorded assists on eight of its nineteen baskets. Daeshun Ruffin left early in the first half after playing only fourteen minutes but managed to score nine points with two assists before exiting.
Both teams combined for a total of eighty free throw attempts during the game, with forty-two coming in the second half alone.
Jackson State now waits to learn its opponent for next week’s SWAC Tournament scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Jackson State athletics or updates on upcoming games, fans can follow @GoJSUTigers on Instagram and Twitter or visit GoJSUTigers.com.
