Richmond, Va. – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team fell on the road to VCU, 66-52, after the Rams pulled away late from a tight contest.
 
Despite erasing a 17-point deficit on the road, JSU (3-5) was unable to maintain control of the games, and in many instances, the ball. JSU had a season-worse 23 turnovers, which VCU capitalized on and turned into 31 points. The Gamecocks also didn't help their cause at the free-throw line shooting just 44-percent on 7-of-16 from the stripe.
 
A season-high 11 points for Jay Pal was the second-most for JSU behind Jalen Gibbs' 13. Senior Darian Adams fouled out late, and finished with just two points after a tough night, which snapped his streak of 23 consecutive games scoring in double figures.
 
Jax State stumbled out of the gate allowing VCU (5-4) to grab a 22-5 advantage after eight minutes. A quick 12-3 run for the Gamecocks forced the home team to take a timeout and the margin was cut to single digits. By halftime, JSU pulled within four heading to the intermission down 34-30.
 
The momentum seemed to cool off during the break as JSU hit just one shot in the opening five minutes of the second half, but held the Rams in check as well and trailed by just five with 14 minutes remaining. A layup from Maros Zeliznak made it 38-35, and setup Jalen Finch to tie the game on the following possession. Finch drove to the basket drawing the foul and converting the old fashion three-point play to even the score at 38 with 13:41 to play.
 
The pressure was turned up by VCU and the turnovers began to pile up for JSU who didn't score for another five minutes as the Rams extended their lead back to nine. The late margin grew back to double digits as JSU tried to create on last rally.
 
JSU returns home to Pete Mathews Coliseum for a pair of home game next week against LaGrange College and Florida International.