FLORENCE – Nearly two decades away from the ASUN Conference, the Jacksonville State men's basketball team returned with a splash on Saturday night, knocking off rival North Alabama on the road.
The Gamecocks (8-6, 1-0 ASUN) took down their historic rival, 65-55, for the fourth-straight win in the series, including all three as Division I opponents. Jax State now leads the third-most played series in school history, 57-35, over 92 meetings dating back to 1950.
UNA (7-8, 0-2 ASUN) fell at home inside Flowers Hall for the first time this season. The two teams bookend JSU's conference schedule, and will meet again in the regular season finale in Jacksonville on Feb. 26.
Senior
Darian Adams led the way with 18 points as one of three Gamecocks to finish in double figures.
Kayne Henry had 11 points, while
Demaree King pitched in 10 while continuing his efficient stretch. The Tulsa, Okla., native, has made 18 of his last 24 three-points. Adams also cleaned up the glass with seven rebound, followed by Henry and
Maros Zeliznak with six apiece as JSU out-rebounded the Lions. 43-27.
Jalen Gibbs drilled back-to-back triples to open the game with a 6-0 lead for JSU, but the Gamecocks still struggled to find its offensive rhythm for most of the first half. UNA came back to briefly lead 8-7, before both teams sat at just 18 points with just over three minutes to play in the half. A layup from Zeliznak pushed JSU ahead, 23-21, and Adams tacked on some late free throws to help secure a 28-24 advantage at the break.
In a game that feature four lead changes and four additional ties, JSU led 42-40 with 14:00 remaining to play before final being able to build some breathing room. Henry and King drained consecutive treys to spark an 8-0 run. JSU shot 6-of-15 (40%) from three-point range, staying on par with its season average which ranks seventh in all of Division I.
A put-back slam from
Juwan Perdue extended the lead to 12 with just over five minutes remaining. UNA cut it back to nine in the closing moments at 61-52, but it was never in doubt for the final 90 seconds.
JSU returns home on Tuesday to host Lipscomb.
