House Resolution 129

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH LANDON BUSSIE FOR WINNING THE 2022-2023 SWAC REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Alcorn State University Braves Men's Basketball Team clinched the 2022-2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Regular Season title, making them back-to-back SWAC Regular Season Champions, after defeating rival, the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff (UAPB), 63-58 on March 4, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the Braves close out the regular season 18-12 overall and 15-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference; and

WHEREAS, Byron Joshua led the Braves offense against the Golden Lions, as the New Orleans, Louisiana, native went up for 23 points with five rebounds and three assists, and Dekedran Thorn also hit double-digits with 10 points; and

WHEREAS, the championship game was a hard-fought battle on both sides of the ball, as the score tied six times with five lead changes, and UAPB took an early lead, going on a 9-0 run before Trevin Wade went to the free-throw line for Alcorn and ended the Braves scoring drought to land both of his shots and cut the Golden Lions lead to 9-2; and

WHEREAS, the Braves picked up some momentum and locked the score at 19 with 8:34 remaining in the contest, but the Golden Lions went on another scoring run to close the period, and Alcorn entered halftime trailing UAPB 29-26; and

WHEREAS, after halftime, a full minute ticked off before Doss split free throws at the line to give UAPB the first points in the second half, but Jeremiah Kendall answered for Alcorn, also splitting his free throws at the line to cut the Golden Lions lead to 30-27 with 18:27 left in the game; and

WHEREAS, with just four minutes left to play, the Braves led the Golden Lions, 55-53, and Montgomery added a free throw, and Joshua had back-to-back layups to extend Alcorn's lead to 60-53 with less than two minutes left, and UAPB would attempt to best the Braves in the remaining seconds, but Alcorn stayed ahead for the 63-58 victory; and

WHEREAS, the Alcorn State University Men's Basketball Team is comprised of the following talented athletes: Dontrell McQuarter, Byron Joshua, Trevin Wade, Devin Carter, Keondre Montgomery, Mike Pajeaud, Oddyst Walker, Dekedran Thorn, Jeremiah Kendall, Willie Anderson, Darryl Jordan, Cameron Butler, Dominic Brewton, Gregory Crawford, Ladarius Marshall and Shaun Walker; and

WHEREAS, the Braves have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Landon Bussie, Assistant Coaches Cy Alexander, Gary Smith and Benjamin Mandelbaum, and student manager Kevin Firle, who have each broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to join the students, faculty and sponsors in recognizing this special group of university student-athletes who have reached the pinnacles of collegiate basketball excellence and have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Alcorn State University Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Landon Bussie for winning the 2022-2023 SWAC Regular Season Championship, and extend to the athletes and coaches best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Landon Bussie and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.