RICHMOND, Ky. – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team fell 69-66 in an overtime thriller Thursday night to Eastern Kentucky at Paul S. McBrayer Stadium.
 
Four scored in double figures, led by Brandon Huffman's 16-point, 16-rebound double-double, but their efforts weren't enough to lift the Gamecocks (7-3, 3-1 OVC) over the Colonels (10-2, 4-1 OVC) in the Ohio Valley Conference contest.
 
"We had some chances and some great looks, but EKU capitalized on opportunities," Head Coach Ray Harper said. "Curt Lewis had a big 3-pointer late. We were up four, missed a 3-pointer and he banged that one to cut it to one.
 
"But we will move on. We have a quick turnaround. We have to get ready for Morehead State on Saturday."
 
Senior Darian Adams helped send the game to overtime with a contested jumper in the paint. The guard sank the basket with six seconds to go, tying the contest 62-62, and Eastern wasn't able to get a shot off before the horn sounded.
 
Jax State jumped out to a quick four-point lead in overtime on a Jalen Finch bucket and a pair of Adams free throws, but EKU would score seven unanswered points over the next two minutes to claim the win. Lewis' 3-pointer cut the Colonel deficit to one, and Wendell Green Jr. hit a jumper and two free throws to claim the lead and put the game out of reach.
 
Despite the loss, Jacksonville State got its first double-doubles of the season thanks to Huffman and Juwan Perdue. Both were career-firsts for the two Gamecocks, as well, as Huffman tallied career-highs in both points and boards, and Perdue had a single-game high 14 points and 10 rebounds. They're the first pair to grab double-doubles in the same game since Jason Burnell and Christian Cunningham accomplished the feat March 8, 2019 against Murray State.
 
"I thought Brandon Huffman took some major steps tonight," Harper said. "He was a manchild in there."
 
The 6-foot-10 forward battled on both ends of the court, grabbing eight offensive rebounds and eight defensive rebounds to go along with his seven field goals. The Goldsboro, N.C., native also had four blocks.
 
The loss drops Jax State to 3-1 in league play – a position it isn't stranger to. The Gamecocks have now started OVC play 3-1 in four of its last five seasons.
 
The Gamecocks' trip to the Bluegrass State continues Saturday, Jan. 9 at Morehead State. Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Johnson Arena.
 
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