MURRAY, Ky. – Jacksonville State's women's basketball team saw its five-game winning streak come to a close Thursday night, falling 67-60 to the Racers inside the CSFB Center on the campus of Murray State.
 
The Gamecocks (7-3, 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference) had 16 turnovers and committed 23 fouls allowing the host Racers (7-6, 4-4 OVC) to spoil JSU's historic start to the year. MSU, one of the top free throw shooting teams in the conference, went to the line 33 times and made 27 of those attempts. They were 19-of-20 from the stripe in the second half as JSU constantly tried to close a five-to-eight point gap. The Gamecocks were 7-for-9 at the stripe for the night.
 
In addition to foul trouble that limited several starters' playing time, JSU struggled from beyond the arc which has been a strength for the Red and White most of the season. A 3-for-23 night from deep spurred several opportunities to close the deficit.
 
Junior Yamia Johnson hit all three triples for JSU as she led the Gamecocks with 23 points. The Lexington, S.C., native also pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds for her second-straight double-double game after not having one her first two and a half years. Sophomore Nekiyah Thompson added nine points, while Taylor Hawks and Winnie Kuimi each score seven.
 
JSU trailed by double digits, 27-17, late in the second quarter, but a 11-6 run to end the half made it 33-28 at the break. Early in the second half the fouls began to pile up for the visitors sending key players to the bench. Near the end of the third quarter, JSU had the deficit back to five at 48-43, but the comeback stalled as the entire starting five: Yamia, Kiana Johnson, Jessie Day, Keiara Griffin and Taylor Hawks each sat on the sidelines waiting to reach the final period.
 
Still in range down eight at the start of the fourth quarter, JSU was unable to score for the first five minutes as the Racers extended the advantage to 12. A quick 6-0 stretch cut it to 58-52, and margin would get as close as four points for JSU in the final minutes before MSU free throws down the stretch proved to be the dagger once more.
 
JSU will travel to Austin Peay on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip time against the Governors.