Southern Miss Opens Season With 47-Point Win Over Tougaloo

Southern Miss built a 45-12 halftime lead at Reed Green Coliseum and continued to pull away after the break. The Golden Eagles held a 33-20 rebounding advantage at halftime and forced 13 Tougaloo turnovers in the first half. They finished with 22 turnovers forced and scored 26 points off them.

Taveras made five of 11 shots and added two assists and a steal. Cameron Wallace scored 11 points, shooting five of nine from the field, and collected eight rebounds. Brandon Weston had nine points, while six Southern Miss players reached eight points or more.

Anthony Igiede contributed eight points, four blocks and three steals in 21 minutes. Southern Miss coach Jay Ladner said the team’s effort and leadership had improved after a disappointing preseason, and credited the group’s start and defensive work.

Ladner opened with a new starting group that included Igiede alongside Taveras and Max Blank, using one big man rather than two. He said the lineup offered greater versatility and that Blank provided rim protection. Southern Miss shot 42.4% overall and 30% from three-point range, while scoring 45 points off the bench.

The Golden Eagles’ next game is a road visit to Iowa State on November 6. Ladner called it a significant challenge, and Taveras and Igiede said the team was ready to compete.