JACKSONVILLE – A 56-point second half propelled Jacksonville State to a 71-60 win over Alabama State on Wednesday afternoon. After a rough start, the Gamecocks came out firing on all cylinders in the third period and maintained that excellence, downing the Lady Hornets to improve to .500.
 
"That was one of the most unique games I've ever been a part of in my entire coaching career," tenth-year head coach Rick Pietri said after the victory. "I think this demonstrates, for us, something that has been a challenge all year, and that's how we approach the game.
 
"Too often we approach it based on who we're playing and what we perceive of them, as opposed to approaching the game and playing it the way it's supposed to be played. Today was a prime example of that. The good news is we found a way to win it and it ended up being an 11-point win, but as a program we must approach things in a different way so we're not climbing out of holes."
 
The opening period was a nightmare for the Jacksonville State (4-4) offense. The Gamecocks shot 0-for-11 in the first and missed all seven of their three-point shots. JSU's lone point came via a NeKiyah Thompson free throw. Thankfully, a similarly stout defensive outing by Pietri's squad held Alabama State (1-8) to just 26.7% shooting. The Lady Hornets held an early double-digit lead, but it would not stay that way for long. Jacksonville State drained four long balls in the second period, including two from fifth-year guard Kyra Williams, to outscore ASU 14-7 in the frame. Despite their rocky first period, the Gamecocks entered halftime trailing 19-15. 
 
Halftime adjustments worked wonders for both sides as Jacksonville State and Alabama State each outpaced their first-half scoring totals in the third period alone. Imari Martin's 9 points in the third led JSU to a 24-point frame. ASU held a slim 40-39 advantage entering the final stanza, but Jax State wasted little time coming back. A balanced offensive attack saw the Gamecocks shoot 71% from the field and 5-of-6 from deep in the last ten minutes. As a result, their 32-point explosion was plenty enough to help Pietri's veteran team pull away in a 71-60 triumph.
 
"The difference (between the first and second halves) was just focus and a different energy," Pietri said. "We had some of the same looks in the second half that we had in the first half. None of them went in in the first half and a lot of them went in in the second half. I believe it's simply a matter of investment and focus."
 
Martin led Jax State with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting (4-of-9 from three). Keiara Griffin, who made JSU's first field goal in the second period, ended up with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, and added four three-pointers of her own. Williams, Kennedy Gavin, and Shawnta Shaw had 9 points each in the victory. Madison McCoy once again led the Gamecocks with 9 rebounds and Shaw set a career-high with 6 boards against the Lady Hornets.
 
The Gamecocks shot 18-of-33 and converted 60% of their three-point attempts in the second half. With that win, JSU continued a unique trend against ASU. Since Jax State joined the NCAA in 1985, the home team has won all seven games in this series.  
 
Jacksonville State will have five days off before their next outing out west. The Gamecocks will travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to take part in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. JSU is set to square off with Utah Tech on Tues., Dec. 20, before playing Campbell the following day. Both of those games at South Point Arena will be broadcast on FloSports/FloHoops and the Gamecock Sports Network. 
 
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