JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team nearly pieced together a remarkable comeback overcoming a late third-quarter 23-point deficit, but was unable to seal the deal in a 71-64 setback.
 
The Gamecocks (7-8, 0-3 Ohio Valley Conference) fell behind early in its first home conference game of the season, allowing Murray State (10-5, 2-0 OVC) to score 30 points in the opening period. It marked the most points allowed by Jax State to any opponent in the first 10 minutes of play this season. After outscoring JSU by five in the second period, the Racers took a commanding 46-24 lead into the halftime intermission.
 
Credit to the Gamecocks, a squad that forced double-overtime at Eastern Illinois on New Year's Eve despite never leading at any point in the game, once again refusing to pack it in early during a tough outing. Head coach Rick Pietri's club started a furious rally once MSU took its largest lead at 52-29 following a layup by Jasmine Borders, one of four Racers to finish in double figures.
 
Tyler Phelion, who led the way with 19 points for JSU, made a basket with 4:49 remaining in the third to spark the rally. Leah Strain, three steals and three assists, knocked down a pair of free throws while Lecey Buchanon recorded two of her eight total points in a quick 8-0 run. Rayven Pearson drained a short five-footer as the quarter horn sounded to cut it to a nine-point deficit entering the final period, 54-45.
 
The Gamecocks continued a fast-paced play which led to Morgan Towells hitting a three-pointer from the corner to draw JSU even closer. Phelion capped the comeback at 4:52 in the fourth tying the game at 57-57, a 28-5 run in total for Jax State. But the energy was quickly cut short as Murray State drained one of its eight total threes on the following possession to reclaim the lead once more. JSU was unable to match the Racers down the stretched as the visitors remained perfect in conference play.
 
JSU will return to The Pete on Saturday to host Austin Peay in a game currently slated for 4:30 p.m. The Lady Govs will arrive in Jacksonville on a high note following an 87-84 overtime win at Tennessee Tech on Thursday night.