HOT SPRINGS — Domonic Tilford and Bryan Sherrer each scored 10 first-half points Monday as South Alabama opened a big lead over Arkansas-Little Rock and took a 54-44 victory in a Sun Belt Conference semifinal despite shooting 22 percent in the second half.
While the Jaguars (20-12) looked bad, the Trojans (23-8) looked worse. UALR had five turnovers in the first 7:20 while falling behind 20-5. A pair of DeAndre' Coleman baskets made it 27-11 with 6:18 left before halftime and the Trojans couldn't take advantage when South Alabama later went cold.
On the Court
Tournament Info
Tourney Photos
SATURDAY - Women
G1 Middle Tenn. 82, New Orleans 47
G2South Alabama 52, Troy 39
G3 UALR 52, La.-Monroe 40
G4 Denver 67, North Texas 63
SUNDAY - Men
G1 Western Kentucky 66, Florida International 48
G2 North Texas 88,Middle Tenn. 79
G3 UALR 58, Denver 55
G4 S. Alabama 78, Troy 75
MONDAY Semifinals - Women
G5 Middle Tenn. 77, S. Alabama 71
G6UALR 70, Denver 60 (2OT)
MONDAY Semifinals - Men
G5 WKU 77, North Texas 70
G6 S. Alabama 54, UALR 44
Tuesday Finals - Women
G7 Middle Tennessee 74, UALR 54
Tuesday Finals - Men
G7 No. 1 WKU vs. No. 6 S. Alabama 9 p.m.
At one point in the second half, South Alabama was shooting 2-of-15 from the floor, or 13 percent. The Trojans weren't much better, shooting 19 percent. Tilford and Sherrer each finished with 17 points. John Fowler and Mike Smith had 10 for Arkansas-Little Rock.
The Jaguars play Western Kentucky in Tuesday's final.