JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team dropped a 57-52 decision to Eastern Kentucky on Thursday at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Despite out-scoring the Colonels in the second period, and eventually finding a lead, the Gamecocks were unable to complete the comeback.
 
Sophomore Christian Cunningham recorded his fourth double-double of the year with a combination of 11 points and 15 rebounds, while freshman Jacara Cross snagged double-digit rebounds (12).
 
The first half got off to a sluggish start that saw just both teams combine for just nine points in the first five minutes. The Colonels (9-14, 2-6 OVC) then went on a scoring fury that saw the Gamecocks (13-10, 5-3 OVC) fall behind by 11.
 
Asante Gist posted nine points and Nick Mayo eight in the first half for EKU. The Eastern Kentucky defense managed to hold JSU to just 21 first-half points; the lowest-scoring first period for the Gamecocks since managing just 20 points in the opening half at Missouri State in the second game of the year.
 
Cunningham led Jacksonville State scorers with six points in the first stanza, going 3-for-5 from the field. He also snagged a team-high three rebounds in the period. As a team, JSU was 7-for-24 (29.2%) in the half, while going 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Gamecocks were perfect from the stripe, however, hitting 7-of-7 free throws.
 
JSU tied the game twice and led once in the second at the 18:00 mark, but EKU soon extended its lead back to period-best nine points. Eastern Kentucky's Nick Mayo totaled a team-high 19 points, scoring 11 down the stretch.
 
The Gamecocks return to action Saturday with an 11 a.m. tip against OVC foe Morehead State. The game is set to broadcast live on the American Sports Network. The women's game vs. Morehead State is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. following the men's contest.
 
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