JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville State lead over half of the game, but Alabama State made a late charge and held on for a 63-60 win in Pete Mathews Coliseum.
After leading for four seconds shy of 31 minutes,
JaQuail Townser's 3-point shot attempt to tie the game was right of the rim resulting in the Gamecocks falling to Alabama State for the second consecutive year as the Hornets won by a final 63-60.
Alabama State didn't take the lead for the first time until Jamel Waters sank a jumper with 10:14 left in the second half.
Cam Biedscheid answered right back with a jumper of his own to give JSU a 1-point lead less than 30 seconds later.
However, Waters made another shot a minute and a half later to give the Hornets the lead for good. JSU got as close as one point with 2:12 left and then against with 14 seconds left, but could never get over the hump to take the lead.
Head coach
James Green and his team held a 30-25 after leading the entire first half of play as a result of
Jeremy Watson and Biedscheid's nine first half points. They both ended the game with 13 points as Townser had a team-high 14 points and six rebounds.
Watson brought down a game-high 12 rebounds to round out his fifth career double-double, first this season and first in 364 days. It's the second time in his career he's produced a double-double against the Hornets as he finished with a career-high 28 points, 18 rebounds in 2014.
Freshman
Jared Hamilton added six points and six rebounds while
Greg Tucker chipped in with six, all in the first half.
Malcolm Drumwright had eight points and four rebounds before fouling out late in the game.
For Alabama State, Waters had a game-high 18 points, six rebounds and four assists while Steve Rogers scored 16. Corvon Butler added nine points while Mikel Tyson and Terrance LeFlore both scored seven. Bobby Brown and Chidozie Omile finished with four and two points respectively.
After concluding its three-game home stand, Jacksonville State will return to action Friday night when the Gamecocks travel to Los Angeles to play Loyola Marymount at 8 p.m. CT.
