JACKSONVILLE – A smothering defensive effort by Jacksonville State's women's basketball squad guided the program to its fewest points allowed in seven years in Monday's 83-31 triumph against Life University. The Gamecocks forced 19 turnovers and held their opponent to just 11 made field goals on the night at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
"The thing that I liked about tonight was that we competed for all four quarters," head coach Rick Pietri said. "This is a team that's used to winning and played Kennesaw State to a 17-point game just a couple weeks ago. I expected to win, but I didn't expect to win like this. I credit that to our kids for continuing to buy in to how we defend and why we do what we do defensively." 
 
Jax State (2-3) wasted no time finding a rhythm offensively versus the Running Eagles (5-1). An up-tempo scheme worked to perfection in the opening frame, helping the Red-and-White go on a 10-0 run midway through the frame and claim a 22-7 lead at the end of one. The Gamecocks' success continued the next period as stellar rebounding and open looks inside created as much as a 29-point advantage. They led, 43-15, at the break after outscoring Life 21-8 in the second interval. 
 
The offensive onslaught continued in the second half. Another 10-0 spurt ensued in the third period as Jacksonville State's production came from starters and bench players, building a 62-21 lead going into the final stanza. In the fourth, Pietri's team cruised to an 52-point victory at The Pete. 
 
Jacksonville State had not allowed 31 or fewer points in a game since an 89-26 victory over Brewton-Parker College on Nov. 29, 2016. 31 points allowed is good enough for second fewest in program history. 
 
"I'm proud of the fact that this group made a great effort today to follow through with what we're trying to systematically on defense," Pietri said. "I feel really good about what our team did today."
 
Asia Barclay posted the team's first double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Shaquice May had a game-high 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and Bre'Anna Rhodes added ten points and three rebounds. Keiara Griffin, Jaz Spencer, and Samiya Steele scored eight points each and Elsie Harris' six assists were also a game-best. Kristol Ayson totaled four steals and both Barclay and Brooklyn McDaniel blocked two shots. 
 
Jax State set season-bests in shooting percentage (48.6%), three-pointers made (11), and rebounds (54) in the lopsided win. In addition, they scored 44 points in the paint, 44 bench points, 26 fast break points and 18 points off turnovers versus Life. 
 
The Gamecocks will enjoy the rest of their Thanksgiving break without a contest before restarting play next Monday. They will begin a tour of the Yellowhammer State by opening three straight intrastate road games at UAB. That matchup will tip-off at 6 p.m. Mon., Nov. 27, in Birmingham. 
 
"UAB is a quality program," Pietri said. "They're in the American Conference and they're very well coached, so that's going to look a lot different on their home floor. We'll give the kids a few days off, then come back and prepare for them this weekend."
 
Links to watch or follow along with live stats for that game will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates 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.