Monday, November 20
JACKSONVILLE
6:30 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
vs
Life University
Women's Basketball Hosts Life on Monday Night
11/19/2023 7:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE – Following Friday night's triumph over Alabama-Huntsville in its home opener, Jacksonville State women's basketball will look for a second consecutive victory at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Monday evening. The Gamecocks will play host to NAIA foe Life University for a non-conference bout beginning at 6:30 p.m.
"At this stage, the biggest thing you want to see is progress and improvement," head coach Rick Pietri said. "There were things we felt good about in our last game and, while we did win, there were also things we didn't feel good about. Against Life, we'd like to feel better about those things and progress in other areas. If we can do those things, hopefully we'll get the result we want."
Jax State (1-3) earned a 14-point win over a solid Division II program in their last outing. They overcame a slow start with a big second period and added separation in the final two periods of their 67-53 result. A pair of first-year guards impressed in their first regular season game in Jacksonville, paying huge dividends down the stretch. Kristol Ayson finished with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and drained four free throws in the win while Samiya Steele added 11 points, three triples, and three rebounds. The two transfers have now scored in double figures twice early in the 2023-24 campaign.
A big key to their success was the Gamecocks' ability to rebound versus UAH, as they finished with 40 boards to just 31 for the Chargers and totaled 15 offensive rebounds. Pietri's group will try for similar success crashing the boards in Monday's matchup with Life (5-1).
The Running Eagles opened the year with a tight loss at home against Reinhardt but have won their last five official games. They opened league play last week, scoring Southern States Athletic Conference victories over Point (77-73) and Blue Mountain (74-63). Life has already faced Division I competition this season, too, as they fell 62-45 at Kennesaw State in an exhibition on Nov. 10.
Second-year head coach Ashawnte Hawkins will lead her program to Calhoun County for the second straight season. Senior guard Maikya Simmons, who played 31 minutes at The Pete last November, ended up with 21 points and five steals versus Point and had 16 points and eight assists against BMC. 6-foot-1 center Deborah Powell has also produced, posting a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in Saturday's home win over Blue Mountain.
"Their roster is nothing like last year's roster," Pietri said. "They had radical turnover with kids graduating and transferring. They don't look the same but they do play similarly. Their strengths are in different areas this season, but whatever they're doing it's been successful for them since they're 5-1.
"This is a team that's already in the habit of winning, so they won't come in here with any particular fear," Pietri added. "We have to be ready for what they have to bring."
Last year's meeting is the only previous showdown between Jax State and the Running Eagles. Jacksonville State jumped on top early and never looked back, rolling to a 63-40 triumph at home. Shawnta Shaw led the team in scoring with 14 while Brooklyn McDaniel finished with seven rebounds, four points, and three assists in 27 minutes. McDaniel, Keiara Griffin, and Shaquice May are the only current Gamecocks who played in last year's affair.
Monday's game in Jacksonville will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Mickey Shadrix and Chase Robinson on the call, and Logan Maddox will handle the Gamecock Sports Network broadcast. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats will be provided at Jax StateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
"At this stage, the biggest thing you want to see is progress and improvement," head coach Rick Pietri said. "There were things we felt good about in our last game and, while we did win, there were also things we didn't feel good about. Against Life, we'd like to feel better about those things and progress in other areas. If we can do those things, hopefully we'll get the result we want."
Jax State (1-3) earned a 14-point win over a solid Division II program in their last outing. They overcame a slow start with a big second period and added separation in the final two periods of their 67-53 result. A pair of first-year guards impressed in their first regular season game in Jacksonville, paying huge dividends down the stretch. Kristol Ayson finished with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and drained four free throws in the win while Samiya Steele added 11 points, three triples, and three rebounds. The two transfers have now scored in double figures twice early in the 2023-24 campaign.
A big key to their success was the Gamecocks' ability to rebound versus UAH, as they finished with 40 boards to just 31 for the Chargers and totaled 15 offensive rebounds. Pietri's group will try for similar success crashing the boards in Monday's matchup with Life (5-1).
The Running Eagles opened the year with a tight loss at home against Reinhardt but have won their last five official games. They opened league play last week, scoring Southern States Athletic Conference victories over Point (77-73) and Blue Mountain (74-63). Life has already faced Division I competition this season, too, as they fell 62-45 at Kennesaw State in an exhibition on Nov. 10.
Second-year head coach Ashawnte Hawkins will lead her program to Calhoun County for the second straight season. Senior guard Maikya Simmons, who played 31 minutes at The Pete last November, ended up with 21 points and five steals versus Point and had 16 points and eight assists against BMC. 6-foot-1 center Deborah Powell has also produced, posting a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in Saturday's home win over Blue Mountain.
"Their roster is nothing like last year's roster," Pietri said. "They had radical turnover with kids graduating and transferring. They don't look the same but they do play similarly. Their strengths are in different areas this season, but whatever they're doing it's been successful for them since they're 5-1.
"This is a team that's already in the habit of winning, so they won't come in here with any particular fear," Pietri added. "We have to be ready for what they have to bring."
Last year's meeting is the only previous showdown between Jax State and the Running Eagles. Jacksonville State jumped on top early and never looked back, rolling to a 63-40 triumph at home. Shawnta Shaw led the team in scoring with 14 while Brooklyn McDaniel finished with seven rebounds, four points, and three assists in 27 minutes. McDaniel, Keiara Griffin, and Shaquice May are the only current Gamecocks who played in last year's affair.
Monday's game in Jacksonville will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Mickey Shadrix and Chase Robinson on the call, and Logan Maddox will handle the Gamecock Sports Network broadcast. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats will be provided at Jax StateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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