JACKSONVILLE – A double-double from junior Norbertas Giga and three additional Gamecocks scoring in double-digits led Jacksonville State to a 81-50 win over Dalton State in its home opener Tuesday at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
Giga racked up 12 points and 11 rebounds to record the first JSU double-double of the season, while Erik Durham (14), Andre Statam (14), and Malcolm Drumwright (11) totaled the majority of the Gamecocks' points.
 
The Roadrunners had the home team on the ropes in the early going, however, as Dalton State scored seven unanswered points on five Jacksonville State turnovers. Dalton State held a first-half lead for just under two minutes before the Gamecocks stormed back.
 
Following a 15-15 tie at the 13:03 mark of the first period, JSU jumped on a 6-0 run to break the game open. The Gamecocks upped the lead to 12 and kept it until the half, leading 33-21 going to the break. Durham led the scoring in the first half with 10 points, going 3-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.
 
Coach Ray Harper opened the flood gates in the second half, out-scoring Dalton State 48-29 in the closing period. Statam led the blistering Jacksonville State offense with 11 points in the frame, going 3-for-3 from three-points range, while the defense held Dalton State to just two field goals during the final 10 minutes of play.
 
All 13 Gamecocks dressed out entered the game, including freshman Mohamad Abuarisha and junior Des Curry. It marked the career debuts for both. Curry, a Jacksonville native who played his prep ball at Jacksonville High School, entered a collegiate game for the first time since transferring from Snead State Community College (redshirt in 2015-16).
 
Jacksonville State goes back to action Friday, Nov. 25 as it takes on Cal State Fullerton in Las Vegas, Nev., as part of the Global Sports Classic. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV. The Gamecocks will go on to play either Alabama State or Northern Arizona.
 
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