HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Southern started out 0-13 this season. Didn't win a game until Jan. 1. Never beat a nonconference opponent.
Who cares? The Tigers are going to the NCAA Tournament.
Trayvon Reed had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Demontrae Jefferson added 15 points and Texas Southern downed top-seeded Arkansas-Pine Bluff 84-69 Saturday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.
"We all came together at the right time, we all made a decision that winning basketball games were more important than anything else," coach Mike Davis said. "So being 0-13, it only bothered other people."
Texas Southern (15-19) earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.
This is the Tigers' fourth appearance in the last five years. They're the only team since 1985 to reach the NCAA Tournament after starting 0-13.
"I can't wait for tomorrow," Davis said. "Let's get this selection Sunday going."
Last season, Texas Southern was ousted in the first round by eventual national champion North Carolina.
"I went last year and we came up short to North Carolina," Jefferson said. "I'm just trying to remain focused and know that this is just the beginning of the true March Madness."
Texas Southern will try and be the first team from the SWAC to win an NCAA Tournament game since 2010, when Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Winthrop in the opening round.
"This year no matter who it is, we've got guys who can score points," Davis said. "We've got guys that can play. They don't fear anyone. We went to Kansas and Kansas beat us and all those teams beat us. But it wasn't like we were in the locker room shaking with nerves. We went out there and played our best basketball."
"I went last year and we came up short to North Carolina," Jefferson said. "I'm just trying to remain focused and know that this is just the beginning of the true March Madness."
Texas Southern will try and be the first team from the SWAC to win an NCAA Tournament game since 2010, when Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Winthrop in the opening round.
"This year no matter who it is, we've got guys who can score points," Davis said. "We've got guys that can play. They don't fear anyone. We went to Kansas and Kansas beat us and all those teams beat us. But it wasn't like we were in the locker room shaking with nerves. We went out there and played our best basketball."
