JACKSONVILLE – Career-best outings by Shawnta Shaw and Kyra Williams and a full-team performance netted Jacksonville State women's basketball their largest win in program history as the Gamecocks rang in the new season with a 114-33 drubbing of Shorter at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Monday night. That victory set or tied four program records. 
 
Shaw had a game-high 18 points and Williams was not far behind with 14 points and three steals. Both speedy guards set new career-bests in scoring for their efforts against the visiting Hawks. 
 
"Last week we had competitive bursts, but we didn't compete throughout," Jacksonville State head coach Rick Pietri said after the sizable victory. "When we left the window open for Montevallo, they jumped through it. We didn't leave the window open very much today, and when we did, Shorter wasn't able to capitalize. I think that's a direct reflection of a different level of focus that our kids brought today. Part of that comes from the hour-and-a-half film session we had after the Montevallo game. Our team saw what was needed to compete the entire time with no let-up and demonstrate that we could do it for 40 minutes, and I thought that we competed for 40 minutes tonight."
 
Jacksonville State jumped on Shorter early and never let up at The Pete. The Hawks led thanks to a lone free throw in the first two minutes before JSU proceeded to go on a 13-0 scoring run to blow the game wide open. Jax State knocked down ten shots in the first period- four of those from beyond the three-point line- and controlled a 28-7 advantage. That lead would continue to grow in the second as the Gamecocks shot 64.3% from the field. Williams and Imari Martin caught fire in the frame, combining for 25 of JSU's 31 points en route to a 59-20 halftime lead.
 
The Gamecock advantage continued to grow throughout the second half. A 26-point scoring run to start the third created a virtually insurmountable deficit for the Hawks. JSU shot 64.7% in the third and 57.9% in the fourth. Conversely, the Jax State defense surrendered just four field goals in the entire second half. Pietri's squad posted their largest lead at 81 points late in the fourth and cruised to that 114-33 triumph.
 
"I thought (Shaw and Williams) really elevated their games and that's why they're in the positions they are now," Pietri said. "They were both reserves last year and they're both in different roles that they've earned. Tonight was evidence of why they've earned the spots they're in."
 
Imari Martin had 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long range. Keiara Griffin added 11 points and three rebounds and freshman Brooklyn McDaniel had 11 points and five boards, totaling five Gamecocks in double-figures scoring in the 2022-23 season-opener. Kennedy Gavin tallied nine points posted a game-high 12 rebounds as well. Madison McCoy finished with nine points and six boards while NeKiyah Thompson and Masengo Mutanda ended up with eight points each. The latter tied for a game-best four steals in her Gamecock debut.
 
Jacksonville State's blowout win on Monday night rewrote the program record books. The previous record of 103 points in a game had occurred three times, most recently in 2017 against Brewton-Parker. Their 81-point margin of victory vastly outpaced their 63-point win over Brewton-Parker in 2016. JSU converted 41 field goals, tying a school record, and set a school record with 22 made field goals in the second half. 
 
With the season-opening win in the rearview, Jacksonville State now turns their full attention towards a SEC opponent. The Gamecocks will travel to Athens, Ga., on Sunday afternoon for a non-conference showdown at Georgia. 
 
"Clearly, (Sunday's game at Georgia) is going to look a lot different," Pietri said. "You're talking about a program in Georgia that made a coaching change, and (first-year head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson) has been very active in the portal. She knows what she's doing; Central Florida had UConn on the ropes last year in the NCAA Tournament. It's going to be a great test for us. It's going to be a great measuring stick to see how we will be able to compete against a super high level quality opponent on their own floor."
 
Sunday's clash at Stegeman Coliseum will tip-off at 1 p.m. CT. Fans unable to tune into the game can watch via ESPN+ or listen to all the action on 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.