JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team used a second-half surge to pull away from Alabama-Huntsville for a 63-47 win in the Gamecocks' lone exhibition of the preseason.
 
Junior transfer Brianna Perry led the way with 13 points as 10 Gamecocks overall made their way into the scoring column. Head coach Rick Pietri played with the lineups that saw Chloe Long and Kiana Johnson each score eight, followed by Morgan Towell's six.
 
The Gamecocks found their edge forcing 23 turnovers to just nine of their own. JSU also assisted on 15 made baskets, while the Chargers from the Gulf South Conference collected just five assists on 14 made goals. Despite a 3-of-22 shooting day from beyond the arc, Jax State had a successful day inside shooting 48-percent (24-50) within the three-point arc.
 
UAH scored consecutive goals to begin with a 4-0 lead, and remained ahead after the first period at 14-13. With 4:33 to play before halftime, the visitors from Huntsville held a 23-19 advantage, but junior Rayven Pearson's next layup sparked an 11-2 run over the final four minutes for the Gamecocks to take a 30-25 lead into the half.
 
The lead reached double-digits for the first time on Perry's three-pointer that made it 38-27. Together, JSU shot 56-percent from the floor in the third period to put up 20 points and build a 50-37 margin after three periods. In the fourth, JSU controlled the pace leading by as many at 19 at one point before the time wound down on a 63-47 victory.
 
JSU officially opens its season next Friday hosting Brewton-Parker at 5:30 p.m., before turning right around to welcome nationally-ranked Florida State into the building on Sunday, Nov. 12, for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off.