Southern Miss men’s, women’s basketball sweep Sun Belt regular-season championships
The ball bounced in Southern Miss’ favor Friday.
The Golden Eagles’ women’s basketball team earned a share of the regular-season Sun Belt title Friday after beating Louisiana in overtime, 69-64, and getting some help from Marshall, which took down league-leading James Madison.
The men’s team also needed some help, but did it’s part by beating Texas State, 79-69, following Marshall’s loss to Old Dominion. The win placed USM alone atop the standings as outright title-holders after being picked by league coaches to finish 13th in the preseason poll.
Friday marked the first time the men’s program has won at least a share of a regular season title since 2013-14, and the first time it’s won outright since the 1990-91 season in the Metro Conference.
The women are sharing a title for the first time since 1994.
Southern Miss is the first SBC school to earn at least a share of both men’s and women’s regular season championships in the same season since 2013.
Both have earned double-byes in the upcoming conference tournament in Pensacola. The men’s team will be the No. 1 seed and will play the winner of the No. 8 and 9 seeds next Saturday in the quarterfinal round.
James Madison will be the top seed on the women’s side, while the Golden Eagles will settle into the third seed and play next Friday.
This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 9:04 PM.
