South Alabama snaps 5-game skid, beats UL Monroe 78-72

MONROE, La. (AP) — Trhae Mitchell scored 23 points and South Alabama pulled away in the final two minutes to beat Louisiana-Monroe 78-72 on Saturday and snapped a five-game losing skid.

The game was tied at 66 with 2:07 to play. Josh Ajayi and Mitchell each made a pair of free throws, and Herb McGee added a 3-pointer capping a 7-0 surge to give South Alabama a 73-66 lead with 27 seconds remaining. UL Monroe pulled to 75-72 on Daishon Smith's 3 with 15 seconds to go. Herb McGee shot 3 of 4 from the line to seal it.

Ajayi added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Jaguars (10-11, 3-5 Sun Belt Conference). Ajayi and Mitchell combined for 11-of-11 shooting at the free-throw line. John Pettway chipped in a career-high 16 points, and McGee finished with 12.

Smith scored 19 points and Travis Munnings added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Warhawks (11-8, 4-3).

The Jaguars have won just two of the last 11 meetings against UL Monroe. They beat the Warhawks 66-63 in Monroe on Feb. 11, 2017.