JACKSONVILLE – Still shorthanded two days after injuries to two starters, the Jacksonville State men's basketball team struggled to find offense in a 78-53 loss to Tennessee State.
 
The Tigers (15-6, 6-2 Ohio Valley Conference) entered the game having lost back-to-back heartbreakers to Belmont and Tennessee Tech, who lead them in the OVC standings. They took it out on a Gamecocks (8-17, 4-6 OVC) squad that was without leading scorer Malcolm Drumwright and starting center Christian Cunningham.
 
A late run in the first half gave TSU its first cushion with a 38-29 halftime lead and then held the Gamecocks to an 8-for-28 second half from the floor to pull away and get back in the win column.
 
JSU freshman DelFincko Bogan scored a career-high 13 points to lead the Gamecocks, hi first double-digit scoring game in his career. The Charleston, Mo., native was 5-for-10 from the floor and 2-for-5 from behind the arc, while dishing two assists.
 
Senior Jeremy Watson flirted with a double-double, scoring 11 points and pulling down eight boards.
 
Despite JSU holding leading scorer Keron DeShields to just 10 points on 4-for-14 shooting, the Tigers had too much firepower on this day, going 32-for-59 from the floor (.542), including a 17-for-29 second half.
 
Tahjere McCall led all scorers with 18 points, while Wayne Martin added 13 on a 6-for-7 shooting effort. Martin also recorded 12 boards in the win.
 
The Gamecocks look to get back on track Saturday, when they host their third opponent in the top three in the OVC in the last three games in Tennessee Tech. The game will tip at 4:30 p.m. CT at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Admission is free for JSU students and all fans ages 18 and under.