JACKSONVILLE – Following a win over preseason-favorite Belmont last week, the Jacksonville State men's basketball team now turns its attention to Murray State at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
Thursday's home game has been deemed a Red Out as Jacksonville State looks to "Red Out the Racers." Fans wearing red to the game will receive a special $5 ticket, and fans 18-and-under and JSU students are always admitted free.
 
One lucky group of JSU students will also have the chance to win their very own Super Bowl party, courtesy of JSU Housing. The residence hall with the most in attendance for both the men's and women's basketball games will receive a pizza and wings party for Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4.
 
The Gamecocks (12-5, 3-1 OVC) are currently tied for third in the Ohio Valley Conference standings behind Thursday's opponent Murray State (12-3, 4-0 OVC) and Saturday's Austin Peay (9-7, 4-0 OVC).
 
Thursday's contest features the league's best defense squaring off against the league's best offense. Jacksonville State entertains the OVC's best scoring defense, allowing just 63.9 points per game, and top field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to .387 shooting. JSU is also holding opponents to a league-low .308 from 3-point range. On the other side of the court, Murray State leads the league in scoring offense (82.7 points per game), field-goal percentage (.493) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.388).
 
Since league play began, junior Jason Burnell has been an offensive force for the Gamecocks. In the last four games, the DeLand, Fla., native is averaging 13.0 points per game and has a .606 field-goal percentage. He is 6-for-12 from 3-point range, and set a career-high for 3-pointers made in a single game with four against Tennessee State last Thursday.
 
Along with Burnell, freshman Cam Martin has stepped up as one of JSU's best off the bench. The 6-foot-9 Texan has the top field-goal percentage of the past four games with a .700 average, hitting seven of 10 shots, and is a solid 5-for-6 from long range. He is averaging 6.7 points per game in OVC contests.
 

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Men's Basketball - Game 18
Jacksonville State (12-5, 3-1 OVC) vs. Murray State (12-3, 4-0 OVC)
January 11, 2017 | 7:30 p.m.
Jacksonville, Ala. | Pete Mathews Coliseum

SERIES HISTORY
Last Meeting: Jan. 5, 2017 (L, 76-63) @ JSU
All-Time Series Record: Murray State leads series 20-1

FOLLOW LIVE
Listen: Gamecocks Radio Network - 91.9 WLJS & 97.9 WVOK
Watch: OVC Digital Network
Live Stats: Click Here
 

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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).