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OU MB GCAC TOURNAMENT 2024A

Men's Basketball

JACOB SAYS OAKWOOD READY TO SHOCK THE WORLD IN GCAC CHAMPIONSHIP

TUSCALOOSA – Oakwood University men's basketball coach Simon Jacob believes his team is ready to shock the world.
 
If the Ambassadors can knock off Southern University of New Orleans today in the first round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference 2024 Hope Credit Union Men's Basketball Championship, it would certainly be shocking based on how they have played this season.
 
Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Stillman College.
 
Oakwood is in the middle of its worst season ever. The Ambassadors are 1-26 overall and have lost 15 straight games. SUNO is 7-21 and swept the season series.
 
Despite that, Jacob remains confident.
 
"We're getting ready to shock the world," he said.
 
It's been done before. Just not at Oakwood.
 
The Ambassadors are out to change that, Jacob said.
 
"I know we lost both games during the regular season, but after watching the film, we made too many mistakes on defense and left them with wide open jump shots," he said.
 
"In the second game, we were tied with about four minutes left in the first half and we let them get a run on us and take the lead.
 
"We got it down to eight or nine, but it's hard to come back when you have to extend so much energy on defense to get back in the game. We just have to more disciplined on offense and defense if we're going to have a chance to win."
 
The Ambassadors will also have to contain SUNO freshman phenom Jamal Gibson.
Gibson, a forward/center for the Knights, averaged 26 points and 21.1 rebounds against Oakwood.
 
Oakwood will counter with Judelin Prophete and Nicholas Kennard. Jeray Randall Jr has also come on of late.
 
Prophete leads the team in scoring (12.1), rebounding (7.5), assists (42), steals (23) and blocks (67).
 
Kennard is averaging 9.3 points per game and Randall Jr has averaged 16 points per game over three of his last six games. In those three games, Randall Jr  has shot 68 percent (17-of-25) from the field and 66 percent (12-of-18) from 3-point range.
 
"Judelin is playing some of his best ball of the season," Jacob said. "Jeray has been a bright spot for us of late. If we can get contributions from some other guys, we'll have a chance."
 
Oakwood will be without senior small forward Brian Williams, the Ambassadors' third-leading scorer.
 
Williams sustained a facial injury against SUNO on Feb. 15 and hasn't played since then.
 
Follow the Ambassadors
Visit the official home of Oakwood University athletics at Oakwood University - Official Athletics Website.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Brian Williams

#4 Brian Williams

F
6' 4"
Senior
Judelin Prophete

#30 Judelin Prophete

F
6' 6"
Senior
Nicholas Kennard

#5 Nicholas Kennard

SG
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brian Williams

#4 Brian Williams

6' 4"
Senior
F
Judelin Prophete

#30 Judelin Prophete

6' 6"
Senior
F
Nicholas Kennard

#5 Nicholas Kennard

6' 2"
Junior
SG