JACKSONVILLE – A 20-2 run midway through Thursday night's matchup against North Florida proved to be the difference as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the Osprey's 66-58 to move to 16-5 on the year and 7-2 in the ASUN.
 
"We have been pretty good at starting second halves and I think today was no exception," said Head Coach Rick Pietri. "We got a great start in the second half. We closed the second quarter well, but we had a really good start in the third and held a lead. To their credit though they kept punching us back and trying to get back into it."
 
With the win, JSU further cements a first-place lead in the ASUN West Division standings. UNF falls to 10-11 overall and 3-6 in league competition.
 
Senior Shawnta Shaw earned her second start of the season and scored a team-high 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Senior Kennedy Gavin added 10 points as 10 of 12 Gamecocks found the scoring column in the win.
 
A slow start once again plagued the Gamecocks in the early goings as the Ospreys led 10-8 at the first media timeout. A three-pointer from Keiara Griffin tied the contest 11-11 before Martin gave JSU a 13-11 lead on a long two with 2:32 remaining. Kyra Williams drained a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter tied, 15-15. North Florida opened the second quarter on a 10-5 run, leading 25-20 at the second quarter media break. A three-pointer from Martin put the Gamecocks back on top, 28-25, before a pair of free-throws from Nekiyah Thompson capped a 10-0 JSU run to lead, 30-25. The Gamecocks led 30-27 at halftime.
 
To open the third quarter JSU outscored the Osprey's 10-0, completing a 20-2 run over the last 6:37 of play that included the final 3:25 of the first half, to lead 40-27 - the largest of the night. JSU outscored the UNF 17-11 in the third quarter, a trend that has continued game-after-game for the Gamecocks, to lead 47-38 entering the fourth quarter. North Florida trimmed JSU's lead to five with 5:03 remaining before a dagger three-pointer from Thompson pushed JSU to a 10-point lead at the 2:16 mark. The Gamecocks would go on to win 66-58.
 
For the 21^st time this season, JSU controlled the turnover battle and was plus-seven in turnover margin. JSU also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Ospreys 40-34 and held a 14-5 advantage on the offensive glass. Griffin led JSU with eight boards. The Gamecocks are 12-0 when outrebounding its opponents. North Florida shot 45.1 percent from the field while JSU finished at 36.9 percent.
 
"They did shoot a good percentage, but we did turn them over," said Pietri. "A seven-possession differential, they had 19 turnovers to our 12, so I think that difference was big for us and gave us some extra possessions. I think we earned some extra possession with some offensive rebounds as well. I thought that in the fourth quarter, Kennedy Gavin gave us a nice burst after struggling in the first quarter, she really delivered for us. This is a good win, and we will definitely take it. That's a good talented, well-coached team."

JSU returns to Pete Mathews Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 5 against Jacksonville at 1:45 p.m. Stay up to date with the Gamecocks at JSUGamecocksports.com and on social media @JSUGamecocksWBB.