In the past three seasons, there have been two women’s teams to run through the Southwestern Athletic Conference without losing a game.
Both were Jackson State.
The Tigers defeated Mississippi Valley State 77-59 on Saturday to complete an 18-0 perfect season in SWAC play.
After MVSU took an early 7-4 lead, Jackson State dominated the rest of the way. JSU outscored Mississippi Valley 16-3 over the remaining 4:31 of the first quarter and took a 39-29 at halftime lead.
Jackson State opened the second half on a 9-0 run that ended on a pair of Miya Crump free throws that extended the Lady Tigers’ lead to 48-26 just 2:14 into the quarter. Ja’Leah Hickmon’s layup ballooned the Jackson State lead to its largest margin up that point, at 58-38.
MVSU finished the quarter strong, outscoring JSU 8-2, as the Lady Tigers went 0 of 6 from the floor with a turnover over the last 3:58 of the period.
𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝟓 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐰! 🔥
For the fifth consecutive year, the Jackson State Tigers are the SWAC Women’s Basketball Regular Season Champions!
📸: @jamesbehindlens #SWACWBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/oAk2vdkmPE
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 5, 2024
Early in the fourth quarter, a 3-pointer from Gabby Bunch trimmed the Jackson State lead to 60-49. JSU quickly responded with an 8-0 run to push the lead to 68-49.
Andriana Avent’s layup capped off a 7-2 spurt that pushed the lead to 75-51 with 3:36 left in the game.
Avent’s season-high 24 points and 10 rebounds led the Lady Tigers. Angel Jackson added 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Ti’lan Boler chipped in with 11 points.
