SWAC Tournament: Texas Southern Tigers advance to SWAC Title Game

HOUSTON, Texas  -- The Texas Southern Tigers defeated Alabama State 73-61 in a semifinal game Friday afternoon at the Toyota Center and will now play for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship for the first time since the 2002-03.

Aaric Murray scored 16 points, all but one after halftime. D.D. Scarver added 14 while Madarious Gibbs pitched in 12 for Texas Southern.

 The Tigers (18-14), have now won eight games in a row and advance to Saturday's title game as they will face Prairie View A&M.

After gaining the lead for good just six minutes in, Texas Southern shot 50 percent from the field. Scarver scored 11 points after halftime with eight rebounds. Gibbs scored 10 in the second half with seven assists.

Jamel Waters led the Hornets (19-12) with 21 points. Luther Page tallied 13 points while freshmen Tarrance LeFlore added 12 and five steals.

The Tigers scored 11 of 14 at the line in the last 3 minutes, Murray sinking 7 of 8 free throw attempts in that span.

Box Score

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION