JACKSONVILLE — Following the victory over Alabama early this week, Jacksonville State opened its 13-game home schedule with a 65-51 victory over the University of New Orleans Privateers Saturday afternoon.

The win was fueled by the overall play of combo-guards Candace Morton and Destany McLin. The two each finished with a game-high 15 points, while Miranda Cantrell added 10 points and nine rebounds, and Courtney Strain chipped in with 10 points.

It's the first time four Jacksonville State players have finished in double figures since Feb. 15, 2014 against Eastern Kentucky.

Morton was nearly perfect from the charity stripe as the senior went 9-for-10, falling one shy of being the first Gamecock to make 10 free throws since she accomplished the feat Jan. 4, 2014 at Tennessee State. She has now scored in double figures in 32 of her last 34 games. As a team, the Gamecocks went 19-of-29 from the line.

JSU fended off several UNO attempts to take the lead during the first half, before Kayla Mundy sank a three with 4:14 remaining in the first half to give the Privateers their first lead of the game. Morton answered with two free throws on the other end to tie the game before Strain sank a jumper to give the Gamecocks the lead again, one they wouldn't give back for the rest of the game.

JSU went on a 14-2 run over the last 3:59 of the half while holding New Orleans to 2-of-8 shooting and forcing three of the Privateers 12 first half turnovers. During the second half, the Gamecock defense forced seven more turnovers, and finished the game with 18 points off turnovers.

Despite being undersized in the paint, JSU finished the game with 30 points in the paint, led by Cantrell's performance as well as freshman Tyler Phelion, who finished with seven points and eight rebounds.

The Gamecocks took a 36-26 lead into the locker room, and finished the game being outrebounded 44-42 by New Orleans.

For UNO, Raven Coleman finished with eight points and nine rebounds while Danielle Davis added eight points as well.

The JSU defense held the Privateers to a 33.3 shooting percentage throughout the game, 28.6 percent during the second half. The defense also only allowed five three-point baskets on 20 attempts.

With the win in the season debut at home, JSU is now 14-6 in home season lid lifters and has won 12 of the last 15 home debuts.  The 14-point win is also the 12^th in the last 20 games during the 2014 calendar year. 

JSU will continue the home-stand by welcoming in Wofford University to Pete Mathews Coliseum Tuesday evening with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.