Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman Briana Benson matched her career high with 17 points, including key baskets down the stretch as Jacksonville State posted its second-straight Ohio Valley Conference road win with a 69-65 decision over Austin Peay on Monday night.

The win moved JSU to 9-14 overall and 5-5 in the OVC, while the Gamecocks halted APSU's four-game winning streak as the Lady Govs dropped to 7-14 and 4-4 in league play.  Jax State has now won back-to-back games against APSU in its home facility, the Dunn Center. 

After having a comfortable lead throughout the contest, including an 18-point, 54-39 advantage at the 13:27 mark of the second half, the Gamecocks knew the Lady Govs would make a run at them and that they did behind the shooting of senior Nicole Olszewski.  She scored all 16 points in the second half, including a pair of treys.  The Jax State dwindled and eventually lost the lead with 6:57 left to play after an Olszewski basket to give APSU a 57-56 lead.  Benson responded with baskets in back-to-back trips down the floor to regain the lead and then drive the paint for a key lay up to give her squad a 60-57 lead.

APSU took just its second lead of the contest at the 1:16 mark after Tiasha Gray scored a lay up and drew a foul.  Gray's free throw gave the Lady Govs a 65-64 lead, but on Jax State's next possession, junior Candace Morton drew the foul and knocked down a pair of free throws.  Benson sealed the win with a basket with 18 seconds left and then was key on APSU's final possession and grabbed her fourth rebound of the night.  She matched her career high with a crucial free throw with one second left on the game clock.  She previously scored 17 points against George Washington in December. Benson was 7-of-14 from the field in 30 minutes of action.
Morton likes playing in the Dunn Center as the Lexington, Ky. set her previous career high with 23 points as a freshman against APSU.  She matched that feat on Monday as she knocked down 6-of-12 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. 

Destany McLin chipped in 12 points and five rebounds.  Junior Miranda Cantrell pulled down 12 points and eight rebounds.  She battled APSU's APSU's Tearra Banks, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Jennifer Nwokocha finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the setback.

The Gamecocks wrap up their three-game road trip on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Morehead, Ky. to face the Eagles of Morehead State.  Tip off from Johnson Arena is set for 3:15 CST and will follow the JSU men's contest with MSU that gets underway 1 p.m. CST.