JACKSONVILLE – The final horn after 40 minutes of regulation had already sounded when Kennesaw State's last-second layin finally rolled off the rim and down through the net to hand Jacksonville State another gut-wrenching defeat.
 
The 54-52 buzzer-beater loss to ASUN-leading Kennesaw State (18-8, 11-2 ASUN) is just as painful after having a double-digit first-half lead as it is following a late double-digit rally to tie things up in the final minute. No matter the viewpoint, Jax State (10-16, 3-10 ASUN) did everything but come out on top in a pivotal Thursday night showdown.
 
Senior Skyelar Potter finished with a new career-high 28 points, which he reached in the final 30 seconds on a monster three-pointer that tied the game at 52-all capping JSU's late comeback. The Bowling Green, Ky., native helped carry the Gamecocks throughout the night with 11 of JSU's first 12 points of the night to get things started. He finished with a team-high 10 rebounds as well for his second double-double in three contests.
 
After KSU took a 10-9 lead on a layup six minutes into the first half, the Owls struggled to make another field goal for nearly 12 minutes. Unfortunately, the rim was almost just as tight on JSU's end and the Gamecocks only extended their out to 24-14 during the run. KSU responded with a strong final few minutes to close to within 26-20 at halftime.
 
Following intermission, KSU continued the climb back to regaining the lead at 32-31 with 11 minutes left to play. The two side exchanged the lead 13 times total, but a 24-6 stretch for the Owls midway through the second half flipped the setup from a Gamecock lead to a double-digit deficit.
 
With five minutes remaining, JSU trailed 47-37, before Potter drained three of his six threes on the night to spark Jax State's late rally. A free throw from Juwan Perdue with just over a minute to go pulled JSU within three, setting up Potter's game-tying triple on the next possession.
 
Without using a timeout, the Owls brought the ball back down the court and worked the right side until Damond Robinson made his way to the rim for the last shot with just seconds remaining to lead to the 54-52 final decision.
 
The same two teams meet on Saturday when JSU makes the trip across the state line to Kennesaw.