Morten-Led Gamecocks Drop OVC Opener at Tennessee Tech - Jacksonville State University Athletics

Saturday, December 28

Cookeville, Tenn.

7 p.m.

Jax State

3-10, 0-1

Tennessee Tech

4-9, 1-0

Team	1	2	F
Jacksonville State	25	42	67
Tennessee Tech	43	29	72

12/28/2013 9:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A career-high effort by Candace Morton and a 14-0 scoring run in the second half wasn't enough for Jacksonville State to knock off Tennessee Tech in the Ohio Valley Conference opener as the Gamecocks fell short in a 72-67 decision on Saturday at the Eblen Center on the TTU campus.

The five-point loss dropped JSU to 3-10 overall and 0-1 in OVC play. The win by the Golden Eagles pushed their season's overall mark to 4-9 and has now won 12 consecutive outings against the Gamecocks.

In a tightly contested match up throughout the first ten minutes, the Golden Eagles began to build a double digit lead at the 4:41 mark of the opening half at 31-21. TTU closed out the half on a 12-4 scoring run and pushed the lead out to 43-25 at the halftime break. Tech's 43-point first-half effort was aided by a 16-of-33 shooting performance from the field and a 24-2 advantage in the paint, while limiting the Gamecocks to nine-made baskets in the first 20 minutes. TTU's T'Keyah Williams scored ten of her 14 points in the first half.

JSU nearly mirrored Tech's first-half shooting numbers which aided the scoring run to trim Tech's 18-point, 62-44 lead with 7:27 left to play. Jax State's three-point shooting ignited the run with three consecutive treys to cut the lead to six points at 62-56 at the 3:12 mark. Junior Bria'unna Buckner drained back-to-back treys on two trips down the floor and Morton's three-point basket put the TTU lead at five points. A pair of free throws by Morton got the Gamecocks to within four points on the next trip down the floor. TTU knocked down free throws down the stretch to stave off a JSU comeback. The Gamecocks trailed 70-67 with 18 seconds left after Morton jumper.

Morton, who has scored in double figures in 14 consecutive games dating back to last season's final contest, bested her previous career-high by a point as she posted 23 points at Austin Peay during her freshman season. The 24-point effort was her third 20-plus point game of the season and the fifth of her career. The Lexington, Ky.-native was 7-of-14 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line and scored 15 of her 24 points in the final period. She also pulled down four rebounds in her 34 minutes of action.

Sophomore Destany McLin registered her first career double-double with 18 points and a new career high 11 rebounds in the setback. Buckner added 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting from behind the three-point arc. It was her fourth double figure scoring outing and second in a row after an 11-point effort against South Carolina State.

TTU was led by Candace Parson's 15 points. Diamond Henderson finished with 14 points, while Kayla Brewer added 10 points.

Jax State returns to OVC action on Monday, Dec. 30, hosting UT Martin at 5:15 p.m. The OVC home opener will be the first of a doubleheader with the JSU men. The Gamecocks and Skyhawks will follow at 7:45 p.m.