JACKSONVILLE – A tough night shooting for Jacksonville State saw the Gamecocks drop their first conference opener in eight seasons to visiting North Alabama, 66-62, on Friday night.
 
Jax State (7-7, 0-1 ASUN) shot just 38-percent from the floor, and converted just five of 12 free throw attempts, in the first home loss of the 2022-23 season. On the flip side, UNA (9-5, 1-0 ASUN) had three starters finish with 14 or more points while leading the game for nearly 39 of the 40 game minutes.
 
The Lions roared out of the gate with 15-0 start forcing Ray Harper to quickly use his first timeout to settle his squad. JSU responded with a 7-0 run over the stretch until the next media break. Senior Skyelar Potter, who finished with a team best 21 points, had 11 in the first half as he helped the Gamecocks chip away at the early deficit.
 
Twice, at 20-19 and 22-21, JSU clawed back within one, but the Lions pulled back away for a 33-27 halftime advantage.
 
After working for more than 25 minutes to dig out of the initial hole it fell in, JSU took the lead on a three-pointer from Potter. Monzy Jackson connected on a triple with just over 12 minutes remaining to push JSU to a 44-42 lead, but UNA ran off 10 straight in a three-minute span which deflated the energy built by JSU's long comeback. Still down eight in the final minute, Demaree King knocked down back-to-back clutch baskets to cut it to 65-62 in the final seconds, but the Gamecocks couldn't collect a late rebound off UNA's final miss and the Lions remained in front as time ticked off the clock.
 
The Gamecocks now embark on their first road trip in conference play with visits to Jacksonville (Jan. 2) and Liberty (Jan. 5).