ATLANTA, Ga. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team fell in its final non-conference matchup of the year with a 55-41 setback at Georgia State Tuesday afternoon.
 
Looking to end an eight-game skid against the Panthers, JSU had no luck in snagging its first victory over GSU since 2003.
 
Two days after setting a career high with 16 rebounds at Clemson, junior Rayven Pearson topped that total with 18 against the Panthers on Tuesday. It marked the most rebounds by a Gamecock since Briana Morrow had 18 against Jacksonville University on Nov. 25, 2012. The Hazel Green, Ala., product also led on offense with 11 points, followed by Gretchen Morrison with eight and Kiana Johnson who finished with six.
 
The Gamecocks (6-5) were held to their lowest shooting percentage of the season at 24 percent, just 15-of-63 from the floor. GSU didn't shine offensively either as the Jax State defense yet again held its opponent to under 60 points for the eighth time in 11 games.
 
The opening half proved to be a difficult one scoring for the Gamecocks who shot just 28 percent (8-29) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes of action. Following Morrison's second three-pointer late in the first quarter that put JSU up 12-8, Jax State was outscored over the next 12-plus minutes, 21-7.
 
JSU quickly cut the deficit in half in the first two minutes of the third, with baskets from Pearson and Taylor Hawks to make it 29-24, but GSU soon stretched the margin back to double figures.
 
Trailing by 15 entering the final quarter, Kiana Johnson stole the opening inbound from the Panthers and took it to the hoop in what looked like it may be the spark the Gamecocks needed for a late rally. The Panthers were limited to just two points for the first 5:50 of the final period, unfortunately during that time Jax State could only cut the deficit to 11.
 
The Gamecocks now break for the Christmas holiday and will return to action at home on Dec. 28 to open Ohio Valley Conference play against Eastern Kentucky.