JACKSONVILLE – For the fourth time in Coach Ray Harper's six seasons at the helm, the Jacksonville State men's basketball team is a 20-game winner, and onference champions once again.
 
Jax State (20-9, 13-3 ASUN) polished off an outright ASUN Conference regular-season title on Saturday with a 69-52 win over North Alabama. The Gamecocks' fifth-straight win over their historic rival was the 58th all-time in the series, moving up as the second-most wins against a single opponent behind 64 versus West Alabama.
 
On a day that celebrated JSU's departing four seniors, the quartet shined the brightest for the Red and White with Darian Adams (13), Kayne Henry (10) and Jalen Gibbs (10) all reaching double figures. Senior Brandon Huffman stuffed the stats as well with five points, four rebounds, four blocks and a steal. Junior Demaree King finished with 11 points and Juwan Perdue hauled in five rebounds.
 
After the two exchanged buckets throughout the opening half, a late 6-2 stretch for JSU allowed the Gamecocks to breakaway from a 24-all tie and lead by four at the intermission. Five minutes into the second half, a trey from Jalen Finch took the lead to double digits at 41-30. From there, JSU controlled the final 15 minutes extending the advantage to as many as 19.
 
The statement win was symbolic punctuation to an outstanding regular season for JSU. Following Saturday's victory, Harper's squad cut down the nets on the East end of Pete Mathews Coliseum in front of a packed house.
 
More than a week ago, JSU secured a first-round bye in next week's ASUN Championship and now knows what lies ahead with the release of the tournament bracket late Saturday. The Gamecocks will host the winner of the first round matchup between Eastern Kentucky and Kennesaw State at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Thursday, March 3. Fans are reminded that they will need to purchase tickets for all JSU games in the ASUN Tournament. Adult tickets are $10 and kids ages 3-18 are $5. JSU students receive free admission to JSU home postseason games.