Daeshun Ruffin had another great night scoring 25 points, 24 hours after a 29-point performance to lift Jackson State to 71-50 and advance to the 2025 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship game.
Shannon Grant and Jayme Mitchell, Jr. were the only other Tigers to score in double figures with 10- and 16-points each.
Bethune Cookman did everything right except make their shots. The Wildcats shot a combined 25% from the field including a dismal 11% from beyond the arc. Bethune Cookman took enough shots to win (79) if they had been 13% more efficient from the field and 15% better from behind the arc. If “ifs and buts were candy and nuts…”
Jackson State eased out to a 13-point lead while the Wildcats struggled to find the twine. It was as if they were playing “Where’s Waldo” with the basket.
The Wildcats managed to cut the lead to seven on a three by Kalil Camara four minutes into the second half. It was the closest they would get the rest of the way.
Mitchell’s final triple of the night put the Tigers ahead by 18 with three minutes to play and secured the squad a spot in the championship game against Alabama State.
Photos
All photos c. Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports