Southern dominated from start to finish.
Malcolm Miller scored 23 points, grabbed six rebounds and totaled five assists as Southern (17-11, 13-2) rolled over Alabama State 87-64 in Montgomery to clinch at least a share of the SWAC regular season championship.
“This team has reached one of its goals,” Southern coach Roman Banks said. “We’re very appreciative to be champs. Any time you win a championship, you’re appreciative of the opportunity.”
Alabama State (15-10, 9-5), who desperately needed a win to keep pace in the standings with Southern, led just 77 seconds in the game, and was soon down 46-27 at the half.
Any chances of a comeback were quickly dashed when Southern went on a 10-5 run to start the second half to go up 57-33 after a Javan Mitchell layup off an assist by Miller.
Tre Lynch scored 14 points, and Trelun Banks chipped in with 12 as Southern extended its led to as large as 26 midway through the final stanza.
Southern can win the regular season league title outright on Saturday with a win at Alcorn State.