RICHMOND, Ky. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team earned a much-needed 56-54 win over Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday at McBrayer Arena as JSU erased a four-point deficit in the final 45 seconds left for the win.

With the win, it's the fourth consecutive over the Colonels of EKU (10-9, 4-4 OVC) and the second straight against EKU on its home floor.  The Gamecocks improved to 8-13 overall and 3-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference.  After earning a split on its trip to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, JSU closes out the month of January on Saturday with a 2 p.m. contest with Tennessee State.

JSU, trailing 53-49 with 45 seconds left, cut the lead down to one with a clutch three pointer by Gretchen Morrison.  After EKU's Shameekia Murray hit the second of her pair of free throws, senior Courtney Strain connected with sophomore Tyler Phelion for an open layup with 20 seconds left.  Michaela Hunter tried to give EKU the lead, but her jumper rimmed off and rebounded by Briana Benson.  Benson was fouled by EKU's Jalen O'Bannon with six seconds left.  The Jonesboro, Georgia gurd drained both to give Jax State a 56-54 lead.  Hunter's final attempt was blocked by senior Destiny James, who had a career-high two blocks in the win.  She also got the steal on the inbounds play to seal the win.

In a close contest throughout, the lead changed 11 times and was all tied up seven times during the game.  Neither team led by more than six points as EKU held the largest lead of the game at 16-10 at the beginning of the second quarter.  JSU trailed 13-10 after the opening 10 minutes and out-scored EKU 13-11 in the second to trail 24-23 at the break.

After being held scoreless in the opening 20 minutes, Strain tallied all nine of her points in the session to spark JSU and send the game to the final quarter with the Gamecocks holding a 39-38 lead.  JSU was 6-of-15 from the field in the third quarter. 

JSU, one of the top three-point shooting teams in the OVC, drilled 9-of-24 from three point range.  After posting 23 points on Monday at Morehead State, Morrison turned in nine points on 3-of-4 from long range.  Benson led all Gamecock scorers with 17 points off the bench.  Benson was 4-of-11 from behind the arc and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.  Phelion nearly matched her career high of 16 points, which was set at MSU on Monday, with 14 points.  The Mobile, Alabama product had just two boards but was credited with a pair of blocks and steals.

EKU's O'Bannon, the leading candidate for OVC Newcomer of the Year, finished with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds.  She also had six assists in the setback.  Hunter collected 14 points, while Murray turned in 12 points.

JSU students and all fans ages 18 and under receive free admission to all JSU home games.