LAS VEGAS – Three Gamecocks scored in double figures and Kennedy Gavin posted her second double-double of 2022 in Jacksonville State's 68-50 comeback triumph over Utah Tech on Tuesday afternoon. JSU overcame a 14-point deficit in their opening game of the 2022 Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic to earn their first win away from home. 
 
Gavin ended up with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double while Imari Martin and Kyra Williams added 14 and 12 points respectively. Their dominance offensively was crucial to Tuesday's win out west.
 
"Offensively, those three did some nice things for us," Jacksonville State head coach Rick Pietri said after the win. "Overall, our team did a nice job of getting us second-chances on misses. They played zone almost the entire game and we were able to knife through the zone to get some offensive rebounds."
 
Similar to last week's game against Alabama State, Jax State's (5-4) offense found little rhythm early against the Trailblazers (7-3). JSU shot just 3-of-12 from the field in the first and got behind early thanks to four made three-pointers by Utah Tech. Numerous big shots by Maggie McCord and Breaunna Gillen helped the Trailblazers to an early 23-9 lead before JSU battled back in the second period. The Gamecocks weathered the storm, withstanding an early run by Utah Tech, and used a 7-0 run midway through the interval to bridge the gap. Pietri's squad continued to chip away and took their first lead of the game late in the half on a Keiara Griffin three-pointer. Her efforts, along with 11 converted free throws, paid dividends as Jacksonville State controlled a 34-33 advantage.
 
"We talked and we prepared for who they were and how they were going to play, but I think we just weren't mentally in the right frame of mind to defend how they play (in the first period)," Pietri said. "Unfortunately, it took us being down 14 to make the decision to fully engage in what we had talked about." 
 
After outscoring the Trailblazers 25-10 in the second, JSU appeared to smell blood in the water. Their offensive prowess continued in the third as they knocked down six field goals, three of those coming from long range, to add 19 more to the scoreboard. The Gamecocks had a double-digit lead for most of the final stanza and cruised to a 68-50 triumph over the Trailblazers. 
 
Griffin finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds and NeKiyah Thompson tallied 7 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Shawnta Shaw also had 6 points against Utah Tech.
 
One major key to the win for JSU was forcing turnovers. Utah Tech turned the ball over 17 times, leading to 23 points off turnovers for the Gamecocks. Jax State's 22 second-chance points and 15 bench points helped immensely down the stretch of the thrilling victory. 
 
"Just being in the right spots was big today," Pietri said. "Making sure we were in the right spots and not being in a position where we're surrendering layups. When a ball came out, we were able to get a hand on it a couple of times and it led to some good stuff for us."
 
Jacksonville State finishes play in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic tomorrow after. JSU will meet former ASUN foe Campbell at 3:15 p.m. CT on Wednesday afternoon in their final game of the invitational. Tomorrow's showdown will be broadcast on BallerTV and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
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