JACKSONVILLE – Sophomore Juwan Perdue matched a career-high with 14 points and the Jacksonville State men's basketball team took down Florida International, 66-59, for its first win in the series history.
 
The Gamecocks (5-5) even their record after a second-straight home win this week, and hand FIU (8-3) just their third loss of the season. The Panthers had won the first four all-time meetings dating back to JSU's early Division I days in the Atlantic Sun. The two programs will become conference foes once again in 2023 with JSU's move to Conference USA.  
 
Perdue's 14 points matched his previous high set against Eastern Kentucky last season. The Sumter, S.C., native, was one of two Gamecocks in double figures as Jalen Gibbs led JSU with 16 on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
 
Gibbs accounted for three of JSU's four total threes on the night as Jax State finished just 4-for-20 from deep and shot just 37-percent from the floor overall. Helping hold the Gamecocks in the game was JSU's best night from the charity stripe this season as they connected on 22-of-25 free throws.
 
A Brandon Huffman dunk opened the contest, and the Goldboro, N.C., senior, added a pair of free throws on the next possession to start JSU's offense. He finished with nine points and five boards. Midway through the first, FIU hit a scoring drought that lasted over five minutes and allowed JSU to build its lead to 20-10.
 
The Panthers slowly clawed their way back with a 17-6 stretch to go ahead by one with just over a minute remaining in the half, but four=straight points from Perdue helped JSU reclaim a 30-29 advantage at the break.
 
FIU didn't fade following the intermission and took a six-point lead five minutes into the period, but a 9-0 run for JSU swung momentum back toward the Gamecocks. Tied at 49, Jay Pal and Perdue pushed JSU ahead by four before Gibbs drained a dagger from deep to make it a seven-point contest. The Panthers got back within four points on several occasions, but the margin never reached one possession and JSU help on late to move to 3-1 on its home court.
 
Following back-to-back home victories at The Pete, Jax State prepares to hit the road on Saturday to face No. 6 Alabama at Coleman Coliseum. It will mark the highest-ranked team JSU has ever faced, topping the Louisville squad the Gamecocks met in the 2017 NCAA Tournament would were ranked No. 9 heading into postseason play.
 
Coverage for the JSU/Alabama contest begins at 6:30 on the SEC Network. Mike Parris will have the radio call across the Gamecock Sports Network.