November 8, 2004

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023

SOUTHWEST HOSTS NATIONALLY-RANKED NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI
Release written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Northwest Mississippi Community College on Tuesday, November 9 at the Verties Sails Gymnasium. The women’s game will tip-off at 6 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 8 p.m. The Northwest men were a national tournament participant last season, and are ranked eighth in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s pre-season poll. Both games will be broadcast locally on WUMR 91.7 FM.

Both the Saluqis and Lady Saluqis are off to 2-0 starts this season. The men defeated Coahoma Community College last Monday in Clarksdale, Mississippi by a score of 92-68, then beat Kennedy-King College 114-70 in their home opener last Saturday night. The Saluqis are led by sophomore forward Chris Prince, who is averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and freshman guard Lester Hudson, the team’s top rebounder at 10.5 per game who is also scoring 16.0 points per game.. Other top scorers for the Southwest men are freshman forward Moraye Ivy (10.0), sophomore guard Nick Covington (9.5), freshman guard Mario Lucchesi (9.5), and sophomore guard Dee Burchett (9.0).

The Lady Saluqis defeated Coahoma 72-59 in the first game of the season last Monday, then beat Carl Albert State College 87-75 on Saturday night. Sophomore forward Ashley Mason is the team’s top scorer and rebounder, averaging 19.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Other double figure scorers for the Lady Saluqis are sophomore guard Lakeisha Jackson (11.0), freshman forward Kenya Moore (11.0), and freshman forward Imesia Jackson (8.0 points, 7.5 rebounds). Freshman point guard Porshia Willis also averages 8.0 points per game and leads the team in assists (7.5) and steals (5.5).