Eagles top Tulane, set sights on UAB

Southern Miss never trailed as it defeated Tulane, 57-47, in the opening round of the GMC Sierra Conference USA Tournament.

With the win, the Golden Eagles (19-12) advanced to the Quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season. Southern Miss will face third-seed UAB tomorrow at 2:30 p.m., with the game being shown on CBS College Sports. It is the second straight year that it will play UAB in the quarters.

"This was a great win," said Southern Miss head coach Larry Eustachy. "We showed a lot of heart. We didn't shoot the ball that well, and we can play better, but considering the situation, a win is a win."

Junior Gary Flowers recorded his ninth double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 17 points and grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds. Junior Torye Pelham and sophomore
Angelo Johnson added 11 points and six rebounds apiece.

Southern Miss came out strong, hitting five of its first eight shots to take an early 10-2 lead 3:33 into the game. Tulane cut the deficit to 10-6, 2:53 later, but the Golden Eagles scored nine of the next 11 points capped off by a Pelham dunk and free throw to take a 19-8 lead with 10:45 to play in the first half.

However, the Golden Eagles were held to just two baskets for the rest of the half. But Tulane wasn't much better, and Southern Miss led 25-16 at the break.

"We prepare for those situations," Flowers said. "Our practice styles are very tough. We get attempts up because of the defense we play. When it does go up we take pride in trying to go get it."

The teams traded baskets early. A Kris Richard three-pointer 1:24 into the half cut the deficit to eight. But Tulane would get no closer, as Southern Miss extended its lead to as much as 14 points.

Southern Miss did not allow any Tulane player to reach double-figures, as Kris Richard and Johnny Mayhane led the Green Wave with eight points apiece. Kendall Timmons led Tulane on the boards with seven rebounds.