Five things you missed over winter break

Basketball has record-setting performance over Dillard

Southern Miss had one of its best games in program history on Jan. 3 against Dillard. The team broke five school records and four conference records in the 135-41 win.

The Golden Eagles set school records for most points scored in a game (135), steals in a game (27), three-point field goals made in a game (18), margin of victory (+94) and halftime margin (+45). Neil Watson also broke the school record for assists in a game with 17.

The team also set four conference records for points in a game, field goals made in a game (51), assists in a game (40) and steals in a game.

Six Eagles scored in double figures, and all players played at least five minutes.

QB granted release from USM

Southern Miss freshman quarterback Anthony Alford was granted a release from his football scholarship in December, according to athletic director Jeff Hammond.

Alford, who played in nine games and started in five for the Golden Eagles in their historic 0-12 season, was arrested and suspended from the university in November for an on-campus fight involving guns, though no shots were fired.

Clarion Ledger beat writer Hugh Kellenberger reported from his blog that rumors that Alford was interested in Ole Miss had been swirling around Oxford,  and “sources close to the Ole Miss program indicate there is interest in at least talking to Alford.”

Women’s soccer coach announced

Athletic Director Jeff Hammond announced the hiring of the new women’s soccer coach, Mohammed El-Zare Tabbed.

El-Zare comes to Southern Miss after spending the past 10 years in Mobile, Ala. While in Mobile, he helped with the recruiting of both the men’s team at the University of Mobile and the women’s team at the University of South Alabama. He has also served as the Director of Coaching for the Mobile Soccer Club since 2007.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join the Golden Eagle family,” El-Zare said. “I would like to thank Mr. Hammond, Ms. Varnell and the search committee for this amazing opportunity, and I look forward to all of us working together to bring the women’s soccer program to conference, regional and eventually national prominence.”

Basketball started conference play

Both men’s and women’s basketball teams have started conference play against Rice and Marshall, respectively.

The men’s team got off to a quick start over Rice, jumping out to a quick 22-5 lead. Rice would fight back, going on a 17-10 run to close the first half. The game would get no closer, however, as the Eagles would hold off the owls to win 75-52. Daveon Boardingham led the Eagles with 16 points and 7 rebounds. The win moved Southern Miss to 12-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

The Lady Eagles kicked off conference play against Marshall at home. After trailing by as much as 12 in the second half, Southern Miss came back to lead by five with under a minute to play. Marshall hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds to play, but Southern Miss ran out the clock to preserve the win.

The win moved the Lady Eagles to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Voice of the Eagles wins prestigious award

The “Voice of the Golden Eagles,” John Cox was recently named the 2012 Mississippi Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Cox is the Director of Sports Broadcasting for Southern Miss and is in his 35th year with the school. This is his second consecutive year he has won the award and the sixth time overall.

Cox handles the play-by-play duties for football, men’s basketball and baseball teams, as well as hosts the Southern Miss Sports Today television show and the Golden Eagle Hotline radio show.