JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team earned a much-needed home victory over Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon at Pete Mathews Coliseum, 69-56, in the team's annual "Play4Kay" Pink-Out game.
 
The Gamecocks (11-14, 4-9 Ohio Valley Conference) topped their win total from a season ago as the Lady Tigers (9=14, 4-9 OVC) led for just 34 seconds during the contest. JSU's 48 percent shooting mark was one of its highest of the season, behind a 55 percent night at UT Martin on Dec. 29.
 
Senior Lacey Buchanon finished one-point shy of matching her career-high with 20 points to lead the Gamecock offense. Gretchen Morrison poured in 15 more points after a 4-for-9 day from beyond the arc. On the other end, Tyler Phelion and Rayven Pearson mirrored each other with identical eight-rebound, three-block performances.
 
Senior Briana Benson gave JSU an early 9-6 advantage midway through the first with her first hitting her only three-point attempt of the day. The basket gave the Jonesboro, Ga., native her 206^th career triple, tying her for 10^th on the Ohio Valley Conference all=time list. Fellow senior Kelly Naughton also had a big day with seven points, six boards and a pair of steals.
 
Following Benson's early triple, Naughton and Morrison drilled long-range shots as JSU took a 17-7 lead with 2:10 to play in the first. In the second quarter, Jax State began to gain separation as TSU went nearly five minutes without a bucket. In all, the Lady Tigers score just six points during the second period, tied for the lowest out by an opponent this season. JSU led 33-17 at halftime.
 
Looking to end a three-game skid, the Gamecocks had to hang on in the third quarter as TSU made a second-half charge. After just 17 points in the first half, the visitors from Nashville, Tenn., had 17 points in the first 5:25 of the third quarter as part of a 17-2 run to pull within one. Buchanon's pull-up jumper on the next possession saved JSU's lead and helped regain control of momentum.
 
With a 46-41 lead to begin the final period, JSU held off one last surge by TSU cutting it to a four-point game with just over four minutes remaining before the Gamecocks extended the margin back out to double-digit at 61-51.
 
With the win, TSU and JSU have split their season series all four years now under head coach Rick Pietri. The Gamecocks stay alive for a spot in this season's OVC Tournament.
 
JSU will have a week off before next hitting the court against Tennessee Tech in the midway point of a three-game homestand, next Saturday, Feb. 18.  
 
Fans wishing to learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or the Play 4 Kay initiative can visit KayYow.com.