In a thrilling match on Saturday night in Hattiesburg, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles clinched a well-deserved 72-68 victory over the Georgia Southern Eagles. It was Denijay Harris who led the charge for Southern Miss, accumulating an impressive total of 19 points. His performance was pivotal, showcasing his skill with six rebounds as he powered the Golden Eagles to a crucial win.
Harris was not alone in this endeavor. Teammate Neftali Alvarez provided significant support, contributing 13 points while excelling in both defense and offense. Alvarez went 6 of 11 from the field and added six rebounds, along with three critical steals, reinforcing Southern Miss's defensive strategies.
Andre Curbelo was another standout player for Southern Miss. Despite shooting 4 of 11 from the field, Curbelo made an impactful impression by maintaining a flawless 3 for 3 from the free-throw line, culminating in a 12-point performance. Notably, his defensive brilliance shone through with seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, marking him as a versatile asset to the team.
On the other side, Georgia Southern's effort was spearheaded by Adante' Holiman, who delivered an outstanding 24 points alongside four steals, attempting to lift his team to triumph. Holiman's remarkable performance was coupled with Bradley Douglas's contribution of 10 points and three steals, showcasing Georgia Southern's resilience in the face of a formidable opponent.
Tyson Brown's dedication on the boards was evident with his game-high 12 rebounds, providing the Eagles with numerous second-chance opportunities. However, despite their valiant efforts, Georgia Southern fell short against a determined Southern Miss lineup.
This competitive showdown leaves Southern Miss at 10-13 and positioned with a 5-6 record in the Sun Belt Conference, while Georgia Southern follows closely with a 4-7 conference record and an overall standing of 11-12.
Looking forward, both teams will return to action on Wednesday. Southern Miss is set to face Appalachian State in an away game, where they will aim to build upon their recent victory. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern will host Louisiana, seeking redemption and aiming to bolster their standing in the conference.
This game, another chapter in the Sun Belt Conference narrative, exemplifies the passion and determination that define college basketball, with each team striving to advance and secure better positioning as the season progresses.