JACKSONVILLE – Without a primary starter returning from last year's ream it was apparent that new faces would step into star roles for Jacksonville State this season, and that's exactly how senior transfer Skyelar Potter's debut went with 42 points in the Gamecocks' 101-93 exhibition win over Auburn-Montgomery on Thursday night.
 
The high-powered exhibition saw both teams shoot above 50-percent, led by AUM's 53 mark on 36-of-68 from the field. The Warhawks were perfect at the free throw line on 11-of-11, however, the Gamecocks connected on 31 of their 37 attempts at the stripe.
 
Potter's 42-spot would've been a Division I record for a JSU player at Pete Mathews Coliseum had it come in an official contest. Greg Tucker owns the current mark at 36, scored in the final game of the 2015-16 season. For the program's all-time history, Mitchell Caldwell dropped 50 against John Marshall at home during the 1963-64 season.
 
Behind his 12-of-18 shooting, including 8-for-12 three-point range, Potter matched a team-high with six rebounds. Returners Juwan Perdue and Maros Zeliznak also grabbed six boards apiece, and were among the 10 total Gamecocks to reach the scoring column. Sharp-shooter Demaree King continued his signature presence from beyond the arc with a quartet of triples on his way to 17 points.
 
After sitting last season as a redshirt, JJ Platt scored a pair while Amanze Ngumezi talled five points in his return from injury. Newcomers Cam McDowell and Mason Nicholson also saw action for four points apiece. Meanwhile, Peyton Daniels filled the stat sheet in his appearance for the Red and White with eight points, six assists and four rebounds.
 
Jax State was tested well in its preseason matchup. The Warhawks of AUM played within five points of the Gamecocks for much of the night until late in the second half. Overall, AUM led for nearly 13 minutes of game time, but a four-point possession midway through the second swung momentum toward Jax State in a big way. After hitting a free throw to break a 61-61 tie, Perdue missed the second attempt but it was snagged by Zeliznak who kicked out to Potter for another three-pointer to spark what became an 8-0 run.
 
With just over three minutes to play, the Gamecocks stretched the lead to 15 at 95-80. The Warhawks closed down the stretch, but it wasn't enough to rival Jax State's margin.
 
The Gamecocks officially begin the 2022-23 season on Monday night, Nov. 7, against Shorter University at 8 p.m.