Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team suffered a 79-39 loss at SIU Edwardsville in its first Ohio Valley Conference road test in a New Year's Eve matinee contest at the Vadalabene Center on Saturday.

The Gamecocks, who have dropped their last six games, fell to 3-12 on the season and 0-2 in OVC action.  SIUE, playing in its first OVC contest in the program's history, moved to 7-5 overall and 1-0 in league play.  The 40-point loss in OVC play is the most lopsided loss since a 41-point decision at Murray State on Dec. 19, 2006.  The 39 points is also the fewest in league play since a 42-point output last season at home against Tennessee State.

A dismal first-half shooting performance doomed Jax State as it hit just 6-of-33 from the field in the first 20 minutes.  On the other end, the Cougars turned in a stellar shooting show as they connected on 14-of-26 from the field and 8-of-13 from the free throw line.  The Gamecocks cold spell in the first half coupled by SIUE's 24-0 scoring run put the Red and White down 30-8 at the 5:45 mark.  JSU's spell spanned 10:42 minutes after holding a slim 8-6 lead at the 16:13 mark of the opening half.  JSU freshman Bria'unna Buckner came off the bench to knock down a three-pointer at the 5:30 mark to snap the scoreless stretch.  Buckner, a native of Detroit, Mich. led Jax State in scoring with nine points.  SIUE carried a 41-27 halftime lead in the dressing room.

JSU's shots started falling in the second half as it connected on 40 percent from the field, but the Cougars maintained their hot hooting as they drained 13-of-26 from the field.   SIUE extended its halftime margin out to 30 points on multiple occasions before taking its largest lead of the contest and final margin of 79-49 after basket with 16 seconds left in the contest. 

SIUE finished the game shooting 51 percent from the field and capitalized on 25 JSU turnovers and turning them into 35 points on the other end.  The Cougars also owned the paint by scoring 36 of their points in the post.  SIUE also shared the ball by dishing out 21 assists.  The Cougars, one of the top teams in the league in three pointers, showed why they like the outside shot by draining 8-of-19 from beyond the arc. 

Jax State did not have a player reach double figures in the scoring column for the second time this season.  Briana Morrow finished with eight points, while Candace Morton added seven points and paced the Gamecocks on the boards with a career-best nine rebounds. 

SIUE freshman Katie Hempen came off the bench to lead all scorers with 13 points.  Jazmin Hill pitched in 11 points, while Tierny Austin added ten points.  Michaela Herrod pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Gamecocks continue their OVC road trip in Cape Girardeau, Mo. as they open the new calendar year with a Monday, Jan. 2 contest with Southeast Missouri.  Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. The game will be carried by the Gamecock Sports Network with air time set for 5:15 p.m.