JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – Jacksonville State women's basketball (1-2) suffered a narrow loss in Thursday afternoon's narrow loss at East Tennessee State (3-1). The Gamecocks played a fantastic back-and-forth game with the Buccaneers on the road but could not get the breaks late in their 55-54 defeat.
 
JSU struggled shooting early at ETSU. Head coach Rick Pietri's squad played solid defense in the first period, allowing just three made shots to the Buccaneers, but a 1-for-14 performance in the opener led to an 11-4 deficit at the end of one. Their mark improved from 7% to 38% in the second quarter. A 16-point second quarter was highlighted by a buzzer beating jumper from NeKiyah Thompson, leading to a 22-20 halftime deficit for Jax State.
 
The Gamecocks continued to claw back in the third period and finally took the lead midway through the interval on a fastbreak jumper by Keiara Griffin. The two sides played tight into the fourth and entered the final stanza in a 35-35 deadlock. Jacksonville State seemed to have a response each time the Buccaneers made a shot, but a 4-0 run halfway through the fourth period gave ETSU some breathing room. Fifth-year guard Imari Martin earned a trip to the free throw line with three shots and a chance to tie it up but converted just two of her attempts. ETSU grabbed the rebound, called time, and ran out the final two seconds to claim a one-point triumph.
 
Troy transfer Shawnta Shaw finished with a team-high 14 points and added three rebounds at East Tennessee State while NeKiyah Thompson had 11 points, one assist, and one rebound. Kennedy Gavin and Griffin ended up with eight points each and Martin had six points in Johnson City.
 
JSU was out-shot 42% to 33% on Thursday morning. The Gamecocks outscored the Buccs 26-24 in the paint but were outscored 11-9 in fast breaks and 9-0 in second chance points. JSU did have more points off turnovers, however, finishing with 17 points versus 6 for East Tennessee State.
 
Jacksonville State returns home on Tuesday afternoon for their final matchup before Thanksgiving. The Gamecocks will welcome Life University to Pete Mathews Coliseum for a 4:15 p.m. tilt in Jacksonville. The men's game against Elon will follow at 6 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, be sure to follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State University Women's Basketball), Twitter (@JSUGamecocksWBB), and Instagram (@JSUGamecocksWBB) accounts.