Jacksonville State University
University of South Carolina - Upstate
USC Upstate Hosts Gamecocks Sunday
12/17/2016 11:23:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jacksonville State Game Notes | USC Upstate Game Notes
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Jacksonville State men's basketball team travels to Spartanburg, S.C., for a 2 p.m. Sunday matchup with USC Upstate. The fourth meeting between the two programs will broadcast live on ESPN3.
The Spartans leads the all-time series 2-1 with their last meetings coming during the 2011-12 season. Upstate won both meetings during that campaign, claiming a win in Spartanburg and a win in Jacksonville. Prior to 2011, the only other time the Spartans and Gamecocks met was in 1992 during the Division II Elite Eight. Then known as USC Spartanburg, JSU ran through the Spartans 105-87 to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Gamecocks are coming off a tough six-day road trip that saw them go 1-2. The team dropped matchups to ULM and Maryland before picking up a 72-59 win over Howard in Washington, D.C. JSU's win over the Bison brought it to .500 with two games to play before the holiday break. The last time the Gamecocks had six wins before Christmas was 2014-15 (seven wins by 12/16/14). JSU's record stood at 3-9 this time last year.
Senior Erik Durham ranks among the top three-point shooters in the NCAA. His 54.9 three-point field goal percentage ranks 8th in the nation, while his 39 three-point field goals made rank 11th in the country. He is averaging 3.25 treys per game (25th, NCAA). Durham leads the team with 12.4 points per game, totaling 149 points on the season.
USC Upstate is beginning a three-game homestand with the Sunday matchup. Nationally, the Spartans rank first in total rebounds. Michael Buchanan enters the contest ranked second nationally in rebounding and is first in the ASUN. He also sits second in field goal percentage and rebounds per game.
For more information on the JSU men's basketball team, follow the Gamecocks on Twitter (@JSU_MBB). For more on all Gamecocks sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of JSU Athletics on Twitter (@JSUGamecocks), Facebook (Facebook.com/JSUGamecocks), Instagram (@JSUGamecocks) and Snapchat (@JSUGamecocks).
GAME 13
Jacksonville State (6-6) at USC Upstate (7-6)
December 18, 2016 | 2 p.m. CT
Spartanburg, S.C. | G.B. Hodge Center (837)
SERIES HISTORY
Last Meeting: January 20, 2012 (L, 82-77)
All-Time Series Record: USC Upstate leads 2-1
FOLLOW LIVE
Listen: Gamecock Sports Network (WLJS 91.9 FM, WVOK 97.9 FM)
Watch: ESPN3
Live Stats: Click Here
NOTEWORTHY
• The Gamecocks are coming off a 72-59 win over Howard to cap off a six-day, three-game road trip.
• Junior Norbertas Giga picked up his team-best third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds at ULM.
• Senior Erik Durham's name ranks among the top three-point shooters in the NCAA. His 54.9 three-point field goal percentage ranks 8th in the nation, while his 39 three-point field goals made rank 11th in the country. He is averaging 3.25 treys per game (25th, NCAA).
• Five of Jacksonville State's six wins have come away from Pete Mathews Coliseum.
• Freshman Jacara Cross scored a career-high 13 points against Howard in Washington, D.C. last week in just his second career start. He tied his previous career-high of 10 points in the first half alone against the Bison. Cross has scored 23 points in his past two games.
• The Gamecocks' sixth victory of the season, a 13-point win over Howard on the road, brings them to .500 with two games to play before the holiday break. The last time the Gamecocks had six wins before Christmas was 2014-15 (seven wins by 12/16/14). JSU's record stood at 3-9 this time last year.
