JACKSONVILLE – For a monumental win, it usually takes a career effort, and that's exactly what the Jacksonville State women's basketball team received as it knocked off UT Martin, 72-67, on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The fourth-straight home win to start the season, and seventh-straight going back to last year, meant more to JSU (4-2, 1-1 Ohio Valley Conference) than just its first conference win of the year. The Gamecocks snapped a 13-game losing skid to the Skyhawks (2-2, 1-1 OVC) that goes back 10 years. A perennial power within the league, UTM has finished first or second in the league in six of the last seven years.
 
Jax State overcame OVC Preseason Player of the Year Chelsey Perry's game-high 23 points with a trio of high scorers of its own. Junior Imari Martin broke out for a career-high 17 points to tie for the team-high along with junior Yamia Johnson. Senior Taylor Hawks pitched in a season-best 16 as the trio led the offensive charge.
 
In addition to her 17 points, Martin hauled in eight rebounds topped only by freshman Keiara Griffin's career-best nine. JSU shot a season-best 51-percent (28-55) from the field to earn its first win over UT Martin since Feb. 11, 2010.
 
Prior to Wednesday, UTM's only loss was a season-opening setback to No. 5 Louisville. The Skyhawks opened a quick 7-0 lead in the first three minutes, but JSU worked to fight back to a 12-all tie late in the period. A 9-0 run that spanned into the second quarter pushed UTM back in front before a barrage of triple from Martin brought JSU right back almost instantly.
 
After trailing 21-12, the Gamecocks ended the first half on a 26-8 run to carry a 38-29 lead into the intermission.
 
Senior Kiana Johnson, who finished with six points and three rebounds, opened the second half with a bucket in the paint to push JSU's lead to double-digits for the first time. The lead grew to as much as 19 following a Nekiyah Thompson layup with 3:12 remaining in the third.
 
The preseason favorite to win the OVC once again started its surge back and quicky shaved 10 points off the deficit until Yamia Johnson's trey as the horn sounded to end the third made it a 12-point contest again. The Gamecocks swapped baskets early in the fourth to maintain the double-digit advantage until the final four minutes.
 
The Skyhawks cut it to 70-63 with three minutes to play, but the trademark JSU defense came through with stop after stop to turn away the chance of a comeback.
 
Following Covid-19 testing protocols, JSU will not be traveling to SIUE this weekend as the Cougars' program is in a temporary pause. JSU's next action will be the following weekend when the Gamecocks head to Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky.