February 27, 2006

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114/ (901) 619-1899

SOUTHWEST SWEEPS ROANE, LOSES TO WALTERS
Release written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest men’s and women’s basketball teams went 2 and 2 over the weekend, sweeping Roane State and losing both games to Walters State. Both the Saluqis and Lady Saluqis have two games remaining before the TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament which Southwest will host March 7-12 at the Verties Sails Gymnasium. Southwest will play Hiwassee at home on Monday, February 27 and will travel to Volunteer State on Wednesday, March 1 to wrap up the regular season.

Imesia Jackson scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Saluqis to a 75-70 win over Roane State on Friday night in Harriman, Tennessee. Also scoring in double figures for the Southwest women were Porshia Willis and Gina High with 14 points each and Priscilla Campbell with 11 points. In an outstanding defensive effort, the Lady Saluqis limited Roane State to only 29.7 percent field goal shooting for the game.

The Southwest women lost 93-82 to Walters State on Saturday in Morristown, Tennessee, dropping their record to 16-8 overall and 13-7 in the TJCCAA. Jackson was again the leading scorer (24 points) and rebounder (12) and Michelle Malone added a career-high 21 points.

Lester Hudson scored 31 points (including 24 in the second half) and Anthony "A.J." Pigram added 17 points to lead the Southwest men past Roane State 93-81. The Saluqis, down 51-38 at halftime, outscored Roane State 55-30 in the second half while forcing 18 turnovers. Southwest also outrebounded Roane State 47-30, led by Darius Simmons and Greg Grimes with eight boards each.

The Saluqis lost 84-81 in overtime to Walters State despite a game-high 23 points from Pigram. Also scoring in double figures were Donald Boone with 13 and Lester Hudson with 11. The Southwest men, ranked 9th in last week’s NJCAA Poll, are now 20-4 overall and 17-3 in the conference.