LORMAN, Miss. – Briana Benson's three pointer with under a minute left to play gave the Jacksonville State women's basketball team its fourth consecutive win as the Gamecocks edged Alcorn State, 70-66, on Tuesday night at the Whitney Complex on the ASU campus.

The win pushed Jax State's overall mark to 6-4 on the season and will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule with a pair of home contests against Nicholls State (Dec.18) and Clemson (Dec. 21).  The loss drops the Lady Braves to 0-8 on the season.  The two clubs have played a pair of spirited contests the last two seasons as Jax State topped ASU, 67-65, last season at JSU.

In a contest that JSU led for over 26 minutes, it could never pull away from a scrappy ASU club in search of its first win of the season and first home game since November 17.  The lead changed 13 times throughout the game and was tied 10 times.  The final lead change came on Benson's trey with 50 seconds left in the game.  The Gamecocks trailed 66-63 with 2:13 left on the clock after a pair of free throws by ASU's Brianna Luton.  Senior Lacey Buchanon answered on the next offensive possession with a jumper with 1:52 left to play.  JSU's defense tightened up the rest of the way as ASU would finish the final 2:13 without points.  JSU held a 54-52 lead after three quarters of play and the margin of deficit for both teams was one possession until JSU was able to hit free throws and get grab rebounds on the defensive end in the final minute of play.

Junior Gretchen Morrison connected on a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left to make it a two possession contest in the final moments.

"This was a game that we survived and won.  We did not handle their pressure very well, especially in the second half," said head coach Rick Pietri.  "The good news is that we were able to make some plays and (Briana) Benson made the huge three late to give us the lead.  We were able to get stops down the stretch and we finished the game strong defensively."

Benson finished the game matching her season high in points with 21 points.  She turned in that total in the season-opening contest at Florida State.  The Jonesboro, Georgia guard reached double figures by halftime with 14 of her 21 coming in the opening 20 minutes.  It marks the fifth-straight game in which she has recorded double digits in the scoring column.  Benson connected on 4-of-7 from the field, including three key three-point baskets.  She was also a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line and has now hit 12 straight free throws dating back to her 8-for-8 day at the charity stripe versus Savannah State. 

A key in JSU's current winning streak has been a balanced offense as for the third consecutive game; at least three Gamecocks have tallied double digit points.  After her first double-double of the season, junior Tyler Phelion did not let the 10-day layoff affect her play as the post player from Mobile, Alabama added 15 points and seven rebounds in a season-best 36 minutes.  Phelion's stat line included a season-high three blocks and a steal.  Buchanon highlighted JSU's second half with 11 of her 13 points in the final 20 minutes.  The Jacksonville, Alabama point guard turned in eight points in JSU's 20-point third quarter.

Pietri had his third starting combo of the season as he inserted junior transfer Tasha Magruder in to the starting line up for the first time this season.  The transfer from Walters State Community College made the most of her first start in a Jax State uniform and complimented Phelion in the post.  The Taneytown, Maryland product nearly had a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes of floor time.

"Cocoa (Phelion) has been finishing exceptionally well for us inside and the challenge for us is to get her the ball more," added Pietri.  "She was able to get to the free throw line and finish some plays for us."

Both teams took advantage of the combined 63 trips to the free throw line.  JSU finished the game shooting 62 percent (23-of-37) from the line, while ASU posted a 17-of-26 night at the free throw line.  JSU had a plus-14, 43-29, advantage on the boards.  The Lady Braves' pressure caused JSU some havoc with ball control as ASU forced JSU into a season-high 28 turnovers.

ASU was led by Alexus Freeman's 15 points, followed by 14 points from Tia Sanders.

"We have to learn some lessons from today and try to be better.  While we won this game, there is still a lot that we can be better at."

The Gamecocks and Colonels will get started at 1:30 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum.  Sunday's contest will be 'Christmas with the Gamecocks'.