February 9, 2005

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

Release Written by Keith Gentry

SOUTHWEST MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM RANKED IN TOP 20
Release Written by Keith Gentry

Fresh off its tenth straight victory, a 83-78 win at Volunteer State on Saturday, February 5, the Southwest men’s basketball team is ranked number 19 in this week’s National Junior College Athletic Association poll.

The Saluqis enter this week with a 17-5 overall record and are 11-2 in the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association. Southwest is currently in first place in the Western Division of the TJCCAA, and with a Homecoming win over Jackson State on Thursday night can clinch at least a tie for the Western Division title and a first round bye in the Region VII Tournament, to be held March 8-13 in Harriman, Tennessee.

Southwest is coached by Verties Sails Jr., who is now in his 26th year as the Saluqis’ head coach and has a coaching record of 556-224 at the College. Southwest leads the TJCCAA in scoring offense with an average of 96.0 points per game and are third in scoring margin at 10.8. Four Saluqis’ players average in double figures, led by sophomore forward Rasuul Buluu, who is averaging 17.1 points and also leads the team in rebounding at 7.9 per game. Other top scorers are freshman guards A.J. Pigram (14.1) and Lester Hudson (12.8), and freshmen forward Moraye Ivy (10.5). Hudson also leads the team with 42 steals, while sophomore guard Nick Covington is the assist leader with 72.

The Southwest men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Jackson State Community College for Homecoming on Thursday, February 10 at the Verties Sails Gymnasium. Game times are 6 p.m. for the women’s game, followed by the men at 8 p.m. The games will be broadcast live on WUMR FM-91.7.