Beltran, SU Jaguars hold off Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama A&M had whittled Southern’s 17-point lead down to 11 with a little more than six minutes remaining Monday night at Elmore Gym.

The Jaguars, who entered the game unbeaten in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, weren’t about to let their nine-game winning streak come to an end.

Southern coach Roman Banks called a play for guard Derick Beltran, and the 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior delivered.

Beltran banked in a 3-pointer, his third on the night, and that pushed the Jaguars’ lead back to 71-57.
The Bulldogs never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

When it was over, Southern emerged with an 82-68 victory before an announced crowd of 1,284 and a national ESPNU television audience.

“Coach ran a play for me, but I think A&M knew it was coming,” said Beltran, who finished with a game-high 24 points.

“I tried to tweak it a little bit, so I faded off, and the defender went under the screen, and I was able to knock it down.”

Beltran finished 7-of-13 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.

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