Jackson State Specks' 27 Points Leads Tigers Past Southern Miss

JACKSON, Mississippi – Yettra Specks scored a career high 27 points to lead the Jackson State men’s basketball team to a 75-64 victory over in-state opponent Southern Miss Sunday evening at the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.

With the win JSU (2-6) snapped a six game losing streak and improved to 2-1 on its home court this season. Southern Miss fell to a 3-3 mark with the loss.

Specks, whose previous career high was 23 points was recorded at Prairie View A&M last season, made timely baskets for the Tigers for the entire game. He was an efficient 8-13 from the floor, including going 3-6 from three point range and 8-9 from the free throw line. He also had a game-high six assists and was one of three Tigers to finish with four steals.



Edric Dennis, who finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals in 25 minutes of action, was the only other double-digit scorer for the Tigers. JSU did have a balanced scoring effort as seven other Tigers put points in the score book. Paris Collins scored eight points to go along with a game-high seven rounds, three assists and four steals. Maurice Rivers also added eight points and six rebounds and Janarius Middleton chipped in seven points on 3-8 shooting from the field.

Quinton Campbell led USM with 22 points on 7-11 shooting from the field.

JSU led 43-30 at halftime, but the Eagles opened the second half with a 10-1 run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 44-40. By the 15:09 mark USM had cut JSU’s lead down to three points. On the next possession Specks knocked down a three to give the Tigers a little breathing room at 46-40. USM would trim JSU’s lead down to four points but would get no closer.

The Tigers went on to increase the lead to 13 points with 1:18 minutes left in the game. JSU had one of its better shooting games as the Tigers connected on 44.8% of its shot attempts (26-58). JSU connected on 35.3% of its threes (6-17). USM connected on 52.5% of its shot attempts (21-40) and 40.0% of its threes (16-27). Both teams struggled from the line with JSU going 17-26 (65.4%) and USM going 16-27 (59.3%).

JSU also led in points in the paint (30-22) and points off turnovers (21-10). The Tigers forced 17 USM turnovers and recorded 14 steals.

Up Next for JSU: The Tigers travel to Des Moines, IA to face Drake on Dec. 10, before returning to the AAC to face Blue Mountain College on Dec. 15. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. Call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420 to purchase tickets or for more information.

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