JACKSONVILLE – Following a 63-47 exhibition win over in-state Alabama-Huntsville, the Jacksonville State women's basketball team turns its attention to the start of the regular season hosting Brewton-Parker on Friday evening at 5:30 inside Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
The Gamecocks look to have a new identity from last season's 13-15 record, but hope to continue its strength on the defensive end which has led the Ohio Valley Conference in points allowed in each of the past three seasons.
 
Last season, JSU lost 48-percent of its scoring offense with the departure of two 1,000-point scorers and sharp-shooter Lacey Buchanon, now a graduate assistant on staff. But the Gamecocks demonstrated they had means to fill those roles as newcomer Brianna Perry, a junior transfer from Jacksonville (Texas) College, led Jax State with 13 points in the preseason contest. Behind Perry, Chloe Long, who missed last year with injury, had eight point along with freshman Kiana Johnson.
 
The veteran core for JSU down low in seniors Tasha Magruder and Tyler Phelion, along with junior Rayven Pearson held UAH to just nine field goals inside the three-point arc.
 
In a late November matchup last year, JSU topped BPC 89-26 in the largest margin of victory in program history. While The Gamecocks aim for another strong effort in the season-opener, they know things quickly get tougher when 18th ranked Florida State pays a visit two days later on Sunday, Nov. 12.
 
Both weekend games will be streamed on the OV Digital Network with live stats available at JSUGamecockSports.com. Fans can purchase game tickets at the ticket office at Pete Mathews Coliseum the day of the game or by visiting the JSU ticket office on the first floor in Kennamer Hall.