Box Score JACKSONVILLE – Kennedy Gavin posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, the first of the season for a Gamecock, in Jacksonville State's 63-40 win over Life University at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Tuesday evening. That standout performance from the Petal, Miss., native was the highlight of a dominant night for JSU's defense, which held the Running Eagle offense to 31% shooting and 9.1% from long range.
 
"We needed it," Jacksonville State head coach Rick Pietri said of Gavin's performance. "We needed every rebound and every point. When you face a non-one, if we're doing our jobs, we're supposed to win it by a reasonable margin. Without her contributions, the game was actually in doubt."
 
Although the story of the night was the Gamecock defense, Jacksonville State's offense produced early in Tuesday's non-conference contest. Pietri's squad hit half of their shots in the opening period and, led by Shawnta Shaw's eight points, raced out to a 21-9 advantage in the first period. Both defenses stood tall to start the second, but Jax State ended a four-minute scoreless streak on a converted jumper from Gavin. The graduate forward would make two more shots in the interval, helping the Gamecocks out to a 27-17 halftime lead.
 
The second half was friendlier to the home team offensively. The Gamecocks found more rhythm on offense in the third period, outscoring the Running Eagles 15-12 in the frame, and went on a 12-0 scoring run to start the fourth, creating a 25-point difference. Several reserves earned playing time down the stretch but maintained the lead in Jacksonville State's 63-40 victory.
 
Shaw finished with a team-high 14 points and three rebounds. Junior college transfer Masengo Mutanda had 11 points and four rebounds, marking the first double-digit outing of her JSU career, and NeKiyah Thompson added nine points. 
 
The Gamecocks out-rebounded Life 44-34 and had all four blocks in the game. JSU ended up with fewer turnovers and 19 points off turnovers versus just five for the Running Eagles. Both teams struggled to find the basket, however, as Jax State shot 38% from the field and 14% from three.
 
"We're going to have to shoot the ball better- point blank," Pietri said. "When you play a non-(Division)-one, that's a game you're supposed to win. I thought defensively we did some good things. Obviously, we held the score down for them. Offensively, we've got some work to do. We clearly didn't shoot the ball very well today. Fortunately, we gave ourselves a few extra chances, but we'll have to be better for the next one."
 
With the win, Pietri improved to 13-0 at Jacksonville State against Division II, Division III, and NAIA opponents. More importantly, the veteran coach tallied his 145^th victory as head coach of the Gamecocks. Pietri is already the winningest head coach at both South Alabama (220 victories) and JSU and is nearing the 150-win accomplishment at Jacksonville State.
 
The Gamecocks are back in action next Wednesday, Dec. 30, as they play host to in-state rival Samford at Pete Mathews Coliseum. That matchup in Calhoun County will tip-off at 6 p.m., and it will serve as the first women's-only game of the basketball season rather than a men's and women's doubleheader. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network. 
 
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