Knights Return Home to Face Tougaloo in Key HBCUAC Matchup

Southern University at New Orleans men's basketball continues its homestand Saturday, January 24, hosting Tougaloo College at 12 p.m. in The Castle. The Knights enter the matchup with momentum, having won three straight games, and will look to avenge a road loss suffered earlier this month in Mississippi.

SUNO dropped a 94–74 decision to Tougaloo on January 10, a game that turned sharply after halftime. The Knights were unable to slow Tougaloo's offensive rhythm in the second half, as the Bulldogs shot over 60 percent after the break and capitalized on transition opportunities and second-chance points to pull away.

In that meeting, Jaylon Hicks led SUNO with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Jermaine Lawrence added nine points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Despite strong individual efforts inside, the Knights struggled with turnovers and defensive breakdowns that allowed Tougaloo to extend possessions and control the tempo.

Saturday's rematch presents a different challenge — and a different SUNO team.

The Knights are coming off an emotional 90–87 double-overtime victory over the University of Mobile on Tuesday night, a game that showcased their growth in late-game execution. Hicks delivered a career-high 37 points while adding seven assists and nine rebounds, anchoring SUNO through every momentum swing. Lawrence posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with a game-high six blocks, while Dorian Booker chipped in 17 points and eight boards.

SUNO's ability to win close games has defined its recent surge. Prior to the Mobile victory, the Knights earned back-to-back HBCU Athletic Conference road wins, defeating Huston-Tillotson 57–54 and Paul Quinn 78–75 in overtime.

Against Huston-Tillotson, SUNO leaned on defense and discipline, erasing early deficits and controlling the final minutes behind strong interior play from Booker and timely scoring from Hicks. Two days later at Paul Quinn, the Knights once again showed composure, forcing overtime with a late basket and locking down defensively in the extra period. Lawrence's presence in the paint proved pivotal, as SUNO limited scoring opportunities and finished the game with poise.

To flip the result against Tougaloo, the Knights will need to apply the same formula that fueled their win streak: defensive consistency, rebounding dominance, and sharper execution on the offensive end. Limiting second-chance opportunities and protecting the basketball will be critical after Tougaloo exploited both areas in the first meeting.

With confidence building and The Castle providing home-court energy, SUNO enters Saturday's contest focused on turning lessons learned into results — and extending a winning streak that has reshaped the trajectory of conference play.

Fans can watch the game on SUNO Knights TV via Urban Edge Network: https://urbanedgenetwork.net/watch/5477