After Thursday’s loss to Louisiana-Monroe, Andre Curbelo waited outside of Southern Miss interim coach Juan Cardona’s office early the next morning.
As Cardona recounted the story that Curbelo told him, “I know I’m not 100%, but I can’t leave the staff, and I can’t my brothers fight by themselves…I can’t let my brothers go to war without me.”
The long wait for Curbelo to return was worth it, as he scored a career-high of 24 points to propel the Golden Eagles to a 78-74 bounce-back win against Texas State.
Curbelo, who was not available for a postgame interview, had not played in a game since January 11 due to a concussion.
“It speaks a lot of somebody when it comes from their heart and take the initiative to make it happen,” Cardona said. “I came to tears because that’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
Curbelo’s effort was needed due to the fact Victor Hart did not play, although he did suit up. In addition, Victor Iwuakor did not reenter the game with less than seven minutes to go in the first half as he dealt with a hamstring injury. Iwuakor, who is expected to return for the Golden Eagles’ next game, had nine points and four rebounds.
The departure of Iwuakor left Southern Miss (15-12, 8-6) trailing 38-33 by halftime, yet Austin Crowley also turned in a gritty performance as he played a full 40 minutes and tacked on 19 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“(Crowley), in my eyes, is an NBA player,” Cardona said. “He is willing to do whatever to win. He is willing to go to the extreme. Today, he played the four, the three, the two and the one. He finished guarding the point guard and started guarding the four. That’s the versatility he gives you at 6-foot-5 and how much knowledge of the game he has.
“Without AC, none of this is happening.”
The Golden Eagles never went on a big definitive run in the second half rather, it was the duo of Crowley and Curbelo that helped chip away and slowly build a small lead over Texas State (11-16, 4-10)
“It brings a different rhythm to the game because (Curbelo is) a guy that gets everybody involved,” said Crowley on what it was like having Curbelo back. “When you input him, it’s different, but it’s easier at the same time because you have more scoring now. Getting used to the rhythm of having him back is going to take time. It’s nothing you can draw up in your mind, but having him back was fun. He adds a lot to the game.”
Neither team clung to as much as a four-point lead with five minutes left in the game. Fittingly enough, it was Curbelo who knocked down two free throws with nine seconds to go to seal the win.
“We keep stacking one more win for the greater cause, which is for Coach (Jay) Ladner’s situation," Cardona said.
Southern Miss will host South Alabama on Thursday, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
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