CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Senior Malcolm Drumwright became the 24th Gamecock to join the 1000 Point Club Monday night as he led the Jacksonville State men's basketball team past Savannah State 86-71 in the opening game of the Cayman Islands Classic - Chattanooga Bracket, at UTC's McKenzie Arena.
 
The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native opened the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key to achieve the career milestone. He is the first Gamecock since Darion Rackley (2015) to join the 1000 Point Club.
 
Junior Jamall Gregory scored a career-best 23 points and swatted a career-best four blocks in the 15-point victory over the Tigers, leading six Gamecocks in double-digit scoring. JSU controlled the game from the start and built up a 49-26 lead by the half. Senior Norbertas Giga tallied 12 points in the first period, while first-time starter Ashton Spears racked up nine first-half points and seven rebounds.
 
Jacksonville State controlled the boards in the first half, out-rebounding the Tigers 28-15. JSU snagged 22 defensive rebounds and six offensive rebounds, compared to Savannah State's two offensive rebounds and 13 defensive rebounds.
 
Savannah State nearly doubled its points total from the first half, putting up 45 second-period points, but the Gamecocks were able to hang on despite being outscored by eight in the half. Tigers' guard Dexter McClanahan put up a team-best 22 points in the loss.
 
Gregory (23), Giga (14), Drumwright (13), Christian Cunningham (12), Maurice Dunlap (12) and Ashton Spears (10) each ended the night in double-digit points. It's the second time this season five or more Gamecocks have scored 10 or more points in a single game.
 
Jacksonville State will play the winner between tonight's Chattanooga/Alabama State matchup tomorrow at McKenzie Arena to wrap up the tournament. Tipoff time will depend on the outcome of tonight's late game.
 
The Gamecocks return home Nov. 30 to take on Alabama State at 7 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Until then, JSU has one more road games ahead of it. Sunday, Nov. 26, Jacksonville State takes on Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., at 2 p.m.
 
Tickets are now available for purchase online at JSUGamecocksTickets.com, by phone at (256) 782-8499 and on campus at the JSU Ticket Office at Kennamer Hall. Children 18-years-old and under and JSU students are admitted free.
 
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).