BOX SCORE

HAMMOND, La. – The first six minutes of the game haunted the Gamecocks all night on Tuesday, when Southeastern Louisiana handed the Jacksonville State men's basketball team a 77-73 defeat in JSU's first road game of the year.

The Lions (3-1) used an early 11-0 run to open a lead they wouldn't relinquish, claiming the 16th meeting between old rivals from the two's days in Division II and the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Gamecocks (2-2) used solid second-half efforts from juniors Trenton Marshall and Nick Murphy to try and climb back into the game, but SLU had an answer for every run JSU tried to make.

Marshall scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to lead three JSU players in double figures. The Garyville, La., native also grabbed five rebounds and a pair of steals in a Homecoming of sorts, with the University Center just about 45 miles from his hometown.

Murphy, a Bronx, N.Y., native, scored 19 and pulled in a team-high seven boards on the night. He scored 12 in the final 20 minutes. Junior Jay-R Strowbridge finished the game with 12 points.

SLU's Patrick Sullivan scored 21 points and grabbed eight boards to pace the Lions in their first meeting with the Gamecocks since the 1996-97 season. Trent Hutchin, Brandon Fortenberry and Gary Dixon each scored 11 points in the win for the Lions.

The Gamecocks committed seven turnovers before the Lions' early run was done and left the University Center committing 13 to just eight assists. JSU shot just 25 percent from behind the arc, while winning the battle on the boards, 37-27.

A slow start put the Gamecocks' backs against the walls early, when an 11-0 run put the Lions on top, 13-4 with just over 14 minutes to play in the opening half. JSU pulled to within six in the final four minutes of the half before a late SLU run gave the Lions a 34-23 lead at the intermission.

Sullivan provided most of the Lions production in the opening half, scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. Ten JSU turnovers led to 14 Southeastern points in the first 20 minutes. Junior Nick Murphy led the Gamecocks with seven points.

The Gamecocks went on a 22-9 run to open the second half, a run that was keyed by eight Murphy points and seven from Marshall to pull to within four at 49-54 with just over 15 minutes to play.

JSU would never pull any closer until a desperation three from Marshall fell at the final horn, as the Lions seemed to find an answer for every run the Gamecocks tried to make.

The Gamecocks will now travel to Athens, Ga., where the University of Georgia awaits for a Friday evening matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast live on the JSU Radio Network with Mike Parris calling the action. Live audio will also be available at www.jusgamecocksports.com.