Shelton State Swats Southern Union

TUSCALOOSA - The Shelton State Community College men's basketball team flexed its defensive muscle en route to a hard-fought 65-58 win over Southern Union on Thursday night.

The Bucs held the Bison to 28.6 percent shooting on the night. Southern Union missed 50 of its 70 shots.

The Bison only made 4-of-20 (.200) three-point attempts in the loss. They missed their first eight three's to open the game.

Shelton State also blocked a season-high 12 shots. 

Sophomore Bryant Aijero (Missouri City, Texas) had a career-high four blocked shots. 

Sophomore Shah Hall (Hillcrest HS), who leads the ACCC with 2.1 blocks per game, had three on Thursday. 

Sophomore DJ Hamlett (Hillcrest HS) and freshman Rodwick Jackson (Headland) had two each. Freshman King Larkin (Paul W. Bryant HS) had one.

Jackson was a force inside for the Bucs with 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. He made 5-of-10 shots and 3-of-6 free throws.

Hall was the only other player in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds.

Aijero pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds, his sixth double-figure rebound game of the year and third straight. He has 37 rebounds in the last three games.

Shelton State led 31-17 at halftime. The 17 points were the allowed in any half this year by the Bucs. 

Southern Union (7-13, 2-2 ACCC) scored the first nine points of the second half to cut the deficit to 31-26.

The Bison trailed 56-55 with just over three minutes left before the Bucs pulled away.

Don Tinsley (19), Dash Thomas (18) and Isaiah Dennis (14) scored 51 of the team's 58 points.

Shelton State (16-4, 3-1 ACCC) has won three straight games and remains in a first-tie in the conference standings.

The Bucs return to action on Monday, Feb. 2 with a 7:30 p.m. game at Gadsden State.