JACKSONVILLE — After putting together multiple runs throughout the first half, it took Rick Pietri's squad one final run during the game's last minute and a half to earn its 55-46 win over Tennessee Tech.
 
Following a made free throw by Tennessee Tech's Samaria Howard, as part of her game-high 21 points, Destiny James drained a shot from behind the 3-point arc milliseconds before the 30-second shot clock sounded. The basket extended the Gamecock lead to five with 1:31 left.
30 seconds later, James made a layup in transition to give Jax State a seven-point lead with under a minute to play. She went on to sink two free throws, to cap her nine-point performance, with 12 seconds left in the game to make it a three-possession game  and give the Gamecocks their third straight 10-win season, all of which have come since Pietri has taken over at the helm.
 
The mark is the first such streak in the program since the 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
 
JSU took a 19-18 lead into halftime following a Kelly Naughton layup with 1:02 left in the second quarter. It was the first lead for the Gamecocks since James made her first basket of the game with 5:50 left in the first quarter to make it 7-6 JSU.
 
Briana Benson added to the 36-point second half performance by Jacksonville State as she had 14 points, all in the second half. She also brought down five rebounds. Additionally, Courtney Strain added seven points and seven rebounds.
 
In her first game since Jan. 16, 2016 against UT Martin, Rayven Pearson scored 10 points and brought down four rebounds in 20 minutes of game action. Tyler "Cocoa" Phelion chipped in with seven rebounds, six points, two blocks and two assists.
 
In addition to Howard's 21 points for Tennessee Tech, Yaktavia Hickson had seven points and seven rebounds while Mariah Dean added six points, five rebounds and three blocks. Alliyah Smith and Candace Parson both had four points each.
 
Jax State returns to action on Wednesday, February 10 against the Bruins of Belmont at the Curb Event Center on the Belmont campus.  Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.