Sunday, December 17
JACKSONVILLE
1 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
vs
Coastal Carolina
Jacksonville State Returns Home to Host Chanticleers
12/16/2023 11:04:00 AM | Women's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE – After going 1-3 in its four-game road stretch over the last two weeks, Jacksonville State women's basketball finally returns home this weekend. The Gamecocks will welcome Coastal Carolina to Pete Mathews Coliseum on Sunday and tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
"I'd like to see us show some toughness and competitiveness this weekend," head coach Rick Pietri said. "We need that, as well as the ability to sustain good play. Those are things we'd like to see."
Jax State (3-6) dropped its second contest in a row on Monday evening at the College of Charleston. A hot start propelled Pietri's squad to a 20-point halftime advantage, leading by as many as 22 before the resilient Cougars battled back. The second half was dominated by the home team, as they put together several long scoring runs in a 69-58 triumph. Two Gamecocks- Jaz Spencer (17) and Elsie Harris (14)- scored in double figures for the Red-and-White in that loss in Charleston, S.C.
"This week's practices have gone well," Pietri said. "There have definitely been some good moments in preparation of this game, so we hope to find a way to sustain those good moments and carry those over to Sunday."
Through nine games, the team's leading scorer is junior college transfer Kristol Ayson. She has averaged 9.1 points per game thus far, and senior forward Keiara Griffin (45) leads the program in total rebounds. Junior Bre'Anna Rhodes is second on the squad in points per game (8.3) and rebounds (43).
Jacksonville State won both of its previous home games this year, downing UAH 67-53 on Nov. 17 and Life University 83-31 on Nov. 20. Following nearly a full month on the road, the Gamecocks return to the friendly confines on Sunday for an important bout versus an improved Coastal Carolina (5-5) bunch.
Kevin Pederson guided the Chanticleers to a 14-16 campaign and an appearance in the Sun Belt Championship in his first season as head coach and has already added five big wins to start year two in Conway, S.C. CCU opened 2023-24 with blowout losses at Georgia Tech and Duke before rebounding with four consecutive victories over South Carolina State, Furman, Charleston Southern, and UNC Wilmington. A pair of close setbacks against UNC Greensboro and the College of Charleston followed. Pederson's team comes to Calhoun County after splitting results versus Alabama and UNC Pembroke last week.
A couple of experienced players have paced the Chanticleer offense in non-conference play. Tennessee State transfer Deaja Richardson has scored a team-best 18.1 points per game and 5-foot-11 forward Makaila Cange averages 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 58.6% from the field.
"Coastal Carolina is an incredibly physical and aggressive team," Pietri said. "They are a high energy team that's on the attack, all the time, on both ends of the floor. They lost in overtime to the College of Charleston a couple weeks ago, so we know they'll be a quality opponent."
Sunday's game 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 JaxStateSports.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.
"I'd like to see us show some toughness and competitiveness this weekend," head coach Rick Pietri said. "We need that, as well as the ability to sustain good play. Those are things we'd like to see."
Jax State (3-6) dropped its second contest in a row on Monday evening at the College of Charleston. A hot start propelled Pietri's squad to a 20-point halftime advantage, leading by as many as 22 before the resilient Cougars battled back. The second half was dominated by the home team, as they put together several long scoring runs in a 69-58 triumph. Two Gamecocks- Jaz Spencer (17) and Elsie Harris (14)- scored in double figures for the Red-and-White in that loss in Charleston, S.C.
"This week's practices have gone well," Pietri said. "There have definitely been some good moments in preparation of this game, so we hope to find a way to sustain those good moments and carry those over to Sunday."
Through nine games, the team's leading scorer is junior college transfer Kristol Ayson. She has averaged 9.1 points per game thus far, and senior forward Keiara Griffin (45) leads the program in total rebounds. Junior Bre'Anna Rhodes is second on the squad in points per game (8.3) and rebounds (43).
Jacksonville State won both of its previous home games this year, downing UAH 67-53 on Nov. 17 and Life University 83-31 on Nov. 20. Following nearly a full month on the road, the Gamecocks return to the friendly confines on Sunday for an important bout versus an improved Coastal Carolina (5-5) bunch.
Kevin Pederson guided the Chanticleers to a 14-16 campaign and an appearance in the Sun Belt Championship in his first season as head coach and has already added five big wins to start year two in Conway, S.C. CCU opened 2023-24 with blowout losses at Georgia Tech and Duke before rebounding with four consecutive victories over South Carolina State, Furman, Charleston Southern, and UNC Wilmington. A pair of close setbacks against UNC Greensboro and the College of Charleston followed. Pederson's team comes to Calhoun County after splitting results versus Alabama and UNC Pembroke last week.
A couple of experienced players have paced the Chanticleer offense in non-conference play. Tennessee State transfer Deaja Richardson has scored a team-best 18.1 points per game and 5-foot-11 forward Makaila Cange averages 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 58.6% from the field.
"Coastal Carolina is an incredibly physical and aggressive team," Pietri said. "They are a high energy team that's on the attack, all the time, on both ends of the floor. They lost in overtime to the College of Charleston a couple weeks ago, so we know they'll be a quality opponent."
Sunday's game 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 JaxStateSports.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
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/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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