JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State dropped the final of a three-game homestand on Friday evening, 55-49, in a physical contest with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
 
The Gamecocks (4-6) and the Flames (6-3) prevailed in showcasing what was expected to be a struggle between two of the best defensive teams in the nation. Jax State entered Friday with the 21st-best scoring defense in the nation, while UIC was also top-30 at 27th.
 
Even in the loss, the Gamecocks held another team to its lowest offensive output of the season. Unfortunately, the Flames countered to limit Jax State to just 37 percent shooting (20-54) and became the first team to hold the Gamecocks below 50 points at home since Tennessee State did so on Feb. 10, 2018 – 73 home games ago.
 
As the only Gamecock to reach double figures, Andres Burney led the offense with a career-high 12 points. Burney, Mason Nicholson (six points) and Juwan Perdue (six points) went to work down low in a physical battle where Jax State scored 38 of its 49 points in the paint. Converting on just one three pointer (1-11), the Gamecocks were nearly held without a triple for the first time in more than 140 contests.
 
UIC jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, but Jax State slowly climbed back in it to briefly grab a 18-17 advantage with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half. However, the Gamecocks went cold from the floor without a field goal over the final six minutes and went to the locker room trailing 25-19 after a late free throw.
 
The Flames hit the first of their two three-pointers in the opening seconds of the second half and soon led by double digits. Trailing 45-33 with 12 minutes left in regulation, Travis Roberts and Alex Odam added buckets inside to spark a methodical rally down the stretch. The Gamecocks pulled within four with a minute to play with Marcellus Brigham Jr. snatched a steal and a quick putback under the Jax State goal to cut the deficit to 51-49 with 50 ticks remaining.
 
UIC managed to reach the free throw line in the final two possessions to ice the 55-49 outcome. The Flames hit 13-of-19 free throw attempts overall while the Gamecocks only made it to the line on 12 occasions.
 
Jax State hits the road for three tough road tests before Christmas beginning with a matchup at nationally-ranked Wisconsin next Thursday, Dec. 14.