February 8, 2005

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023

SOUTHWEST BASKETBALL TEAMS HOST JACKSON STATE IN HOMECOMING GAME

The Southwest men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Jackson State Community College for Homecoming on Thursday, February 10 at the Verties Sails Gymnasium. Both the Saluqis and Lady Saluqis enter this week atop the standings in the Western Division of the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association, and the Southwest men enter the game with a ten-game winning streak.

The Saluqi men, 17-5 overall and 11-2 in the TJCCAA, lead the conference in scoring with an average of 96.0 points per game and are third in scoring margin at 10.8. Four players average in double figures for coach Verties Sails’ squad, led by sophomore forward Rasuul Buluu, who is averaging 17.1 points and also leads the team in rebounding at 7.9 per game. Other top scorers for the Saluqis are freshman guards A.J. Pigram (14.1) and Lester Hudson (12.8), and freshman forward Moraye Ivy (10.5). Hudson also leads the team with 42 steals, while sophomore guard Nick Covington is the assist leader with 72.

The Lady Saluqis enter the game with an overall record of 15-7 and a conference record of 8-5. They rank second in the TJCCAA in scoring with an average of 77.0 points per game and are fourth in scoring margin at 6.2. The Southwest women, coached by Andrea Martre, also have four players averaging at least 10 points per game. The top scorer on the season is sophomore forward Ashley Mason, who is averaging 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Other Lady Saluqis in double figures on the season are freshman guard Kenya Moore (12.5), sophomore guard Lakeisha Jackson (11.5), and freshman forward Imesia Jackson (11.5), who also leads the team in rebounding at 7.4 per game. Freshman guard Porshia Willis is the team leader in both assists (102) and steals (55).

The Jackson State men enter the game with an overall record of 11-5 and a conference record of 5-5. The Generals, coached by Deron Hines, are in fourth place in the Western Division of the TJCCAA. The Jackson State women, coached by Mechelle Naylor, are 5-7 overall and 3-7 in the conference. The Lady Generals are in fifth place in the Western Division of the TJCCAA.