JACKSONVILLE – Career-best outings from Imari Martin and Shawnta Shaw highlighted Jacksonville State's 75-59 victory over Samford at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Wednesday night. The Gamecocks were down to just eight student-athletes- mostly due to injury- but each performer contributed heavily in the 16-point win. 
 
"I just think our kids were really laser-focused and bought in to our method," Jacksonville State head coach Rick Pietri said after the victory. "We had some bad stretches, but overall I thought offensively we were pretty well locked in also. We made some timely baskets, particularly in the fourth quarter. The outcome was in doubt, and then we made big shot after big shot to push them and knock them away from us."
 
Martin ended up with 24 points, tying a career-high set in the 2020-21 season versus Eastern Kentucky, and posted the most field goals made (9) and field goals attempted (19) on Wednesday. Shaw's 19 points was a career-high, as were her 9 rebounds, 8 field goals made, 14 field goals attempted, and two three-pointers. 
 
"(Martin) was fantastic," Pietri said. "She got off to a really good start offensively and then slowed down a little bit. I got her out for about a minute and a half in the fourth quarter, but we lucked out because there was a stoppage that was almost like an extra timeout to get her some more rest and get her back out on the floor quicker. But she was pivotal. I don't want to diminish anybody; I thought, in their own way, each of the eight that participated were helpful. You can't help but notice when somebody plays 36 minutes, scores 24 points, and shoots a reasonable percentage. Plus she had three assists and no turnovers. In terms of the circumstances of the day, it was about as good of a performance as I could've asked for from her today."
 
In addition to their success on offense, JSU's defense stood out against the Bulldogs. Samford's Andrea Cournoyer, one of the nation's premiere scorers, was held to just 13 points in the non-conference affair in Jacksonville. 

"We emphasized how important it was to be energized about how we covered her and to be legally physical," Pietri said. "(Our plan was) to not let her get downhill and get easy baskets, and just make her earn everything she got. The baskets she did make, she earned them. I felt good about how we were able to defend her."
 
Shaw and the Jax State offense started hot. The Troy transfer nailed a three-pointer and then converted an and-one before Samford got on the board. Martin found her footing early as well, hitting a pair of treys and reaching ten points individually before the Bulldogs did as a team. The Gamecocks kept their momentum rolling in the second interval, outscoring Samford 15-11 in the period to control a 37-27 halftime advantage.
 
The visiting Bulldogs were able to claw back some in the third period as they outscored JSU 14-12. Samford's perimeter defense was especially impressive, holding the Gamecocks to zero made threes in the frame for the first time all night. The in-state foe had another impressive burst in the fourth period, cutting it to a four-point difference with just over five minutes to play. With their backs against the wall, Jax State kicked it into high-gear and pulled away from the Bulldogs with a 19-7 scoring run to secure a 75-59 triumph.
 
Martin and Shaw were not the only standouts for JSU. Keiara Griffin had 11 points and 5 rebounds while Brooklyn McDaniel added 9 points and five boards. Kennedy Gavin tallied eight points and five rebounds against Samford.
 
The Gamecocks return to play on Sunday at Pete Mathews Coliseum as they welcome the Davidson Wildcats to town. Tip-off of that non-conference affair is set for 2 p.m. The game 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.