JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team was defeated 72-62 Thursday by Tennessee State at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
The Tigers (13-9, 5-4 OVC) pulled down 53 rebounds, as opposed to the Gamecocks (9-13, 4-5 OVC) who managed just 30 for the contest.
 
"We got manhandled tonight," head coach Ray Harper said. "We got outrebounded because they were tougher tonight. I saw them just take balls from us and score it. They wanted it and they took it."
 
Jax State got out to a promising start, leading by a game-best 11 points, 19-8, midway through the first half. TSU was able to cut into the deficit, but Jacksonville State controlled the score 31-28 at the break.
 
Derek St. Hilaire set the pace for the home team, scoring eight points in the first 20 minutes, while Kayne Henry and Jacara Cross each tallied six points in the period.
 
Tennessee State's surge began just as the second-half horn sounded, going on a 6-0 run to claim its first lead since the 11:19 mark of the first period. The Tigers outscored the Gamecocks 44-31 in the period with Shakem Johnson scoring a team-best 12 points in the half, bringing his game total to 18.
 
Despite the Jacksonville State defense forcing 18 turnovers to its two, the Tigers 23 more rebounds resulted in second-chance points going 17-7 in favor of the visitors.
 
Cross ended the night with 18 points to lead the Jax State offense, while Cook followed closely behind with 13. Cross missed his second double-double of the year by just two boards.
 
On the TSU side of the court, Johnson's 18 was complimented by 14 from Wesley Harris and 13 by Michael Littlejohn. Johnson, Harris and Carlos Marshall combined for 34 rebounds.
 
Jacksonville State is in action again Saturday against Belmont. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the Leeds Jumpers will perform at halftime. Saturday is also America's First Credit Union Kid's Day. 
 
For more information on the JSU men's basketball team, follow the Gamecocks on Twitter (@JSUGamecocksMBB) and Instagram (@JSUGamecocksMBB). For more on all Gamecocks sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of JSU Athletics on Twitter (@JSUGamecocks), Facebook (Facebook.com/JSUGamecocks) and Instagram (@JSUGamecocks).