Texas Southern's Aaric Murray Drops in 48 Points to Lead Tigers over Temple

College Hoops Player of the Day for Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Texas Southern's Aaric Murray scored 48 points in the Tigers' 90-89 victory at Temple, just the fourth win for Texas Southern, against seven losses.

The well-traveled Murray, who began his college hoops career at LaSalle, is a transfer from West Virginia. At 6'10", 245 pounds, he's a powerful force in the lane, averaging 24.5 points with 7.0 rebounds for the Tigers.

His previous career high of 33 was eclipsed midway through the second half, as the senior center made 20 of 28 shots from the field, even stepping out beyond the arc to nail two of five three-pointers. He added six of eight free throws to score the most points in a single game this season, passing Wisconsin's Mike Kaminsky, who scored 43 earlier in the season. Murray also nabbed eight rebounds, dished a pair of assists, had a steal and one blocked shot.

The Tigers led by six points when Murray finished his scoring for the night, a layup with 47 seconds left, but the Owls took the lead on a three-pointer, a lay-in and a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining. Texas Southern's Madarious Gibbs was fouled with seven seconds left, making both foul shots to earn the one-point win.

Texas Southern has played nine of their eleven games on the road thus far, and will get a well-deserved rest before their final non-conference game, at TCU on December 29. They begin SWAC competition January 4th, at home, hosting Alcorn State.

Fred Sturdivant Leads Texas Southern to 8th Straight Win

College Hoops Player of the Day for Monday, February 18, 2013

Seldom getting any press, the SWAC has turned into a three-way dogfight for the regular season title with Southern University, Texas Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff all within a game of the top spot, currently held by 13-2 Southern, Texas Southern 1/2 game back and the Pine Bluff Golden Lions a full game out.

All three were in action Monday, each posting a win. Texas Southern put on a second half thumping of Mississippi Valley State, outscoring the Delta Devils, 38-16, after heading into the half down six points. The 73-57 victory was the eighth straight for the Tigers, last tasting defeat at Pine Bluff on January 19.

Fred Sturdivant posted his tenth double-double of the season, scoring 21 points with 17 rebounds, the 6'7" senior absolutely controlling the paint with eight blocked shots.

Sturdivant was 8-for-13 from the field, but needs some work on his free throws, going just 5-for-18 from the stripe. On the season, he's a 60% shooter from the field, while just 48.5% from the line.

The win puts the Tigers in a position to capture the SWAC title. They have just four games left, one of them a home contest with Southern, in which they plan to avenge a 63-57 road loss with which they opened conference play.

The regular season crown may well be worth the fight, but everyone knows that winning the conference tournament is what it's all about, as that team gets the automatic nod to the NCAA tourney.