JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State women's basketball suffered their first loss in ASUN Conference play in Thursday night's 83-81 overtime defeat against Lipscomb at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Kennedy Gavin's career-best 23 points led an inspired offensive attack for the Gamecocks, but Jax State's inability to get a stop late led to that heartbreaker at home.
 
"I told them before the game, 'This is two good teams playing each other. We have to make one more play than they do.' And we didn't," Jacksonville State head coach Rick Pietri said after they game. "They made one more play than we did.
 
"Two good teams fought really hard, and somebody's got to want it more," Pietri said. "Even if it's by increments, and they wanted it more than we did by just one increment, then they got what they deserved with a win."
 
JSU's offense started hot with an impressive opening period. The Gamecocks outscored the Bisons 19-13 in the first period, as they shot 47% from the field and allowed just five made field goals by Lipscomb. The opposing offense found their footing the next period, however, and knocked down seven shots and several three-pointers to slightly close the gap. Jacksonville State was still able to consistently hit shots- thanks mostly to a 3-for-3 quarter from Gavin, who tallied ten points in the frame- and went into the locker rooms with a 35-31 advantage. 
 
Both sides had huge offensive outputs in the second half. Jacksonville State shot 42.4% in the third and fourth periods, picking up big outings from Gavin and NeKiyah Thompson, who totaled ten and eight points respectively in that time frame. Lipscomb, on the other hand, converted 19 field goals and hit three key treys in the final 20 minutes to force overtime. After Keiara Griffin gave JSU a 75-73 lead with a made free throw, Lipscomb raced down the floor and Jalyn Holcomb made a fast break layup in the paint to tie the game. Though the Gamecocks had around ten seconds left, a missed jumper sent the game into an extra period.
 
Lipscomb jumped out to an 80-75 advantage to start overtime before a pair of field goals and an and-one tied it up. Unfortunately, the Bisons were able to make "one more play" than JSU, resulting in their 83-81.
 
Gavin's 23 points and eight rebounds were both team-highs for Thursday's contest, but neither were game-highs. Lipscomb's Bella Vinson had 28 points and Aleah Sorrentino posted a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double.
 
Shawnta Shaw ended up with 14 points and three steals against the Bisons. Thompson scored 10 points and drew six fouls. 
 
Jacksonville State women's basketball is back in action Saturday at Pete Mathews Coliseum against Queens (N.C.). That league showdown in will tip-off at 5:45 p.m. and will be part of a doubleheader, as JSU's men will host Bellarmine at 8 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, be sure to follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State University Women's Basketball), Twitter (@JSUGamecocksWBB), and Instagram (@JSUGamecocksWBB) accounts.