LYNCHBURG, Va. – Jacksonville State women's basketball was held to a season-low in scoring in Saturday's Conference USA loss at Liberty. The Flames jumped on top thanks to a quick start and never looked back in their 63-32 win over the Gamecocks.
"Liberty was more invested in playing today than our kids were," head coach
Rick Pietri said. "Our kids didn't bring the right mindset in the beginning. Liberty was much better than we were, so we're just going to have to move on from there."
Things were clicking on both sides of the ball early on for Liberty (8-13, 3-3). Usual floor general Jordan Hodges tallied nine points and the Flame offense sank three treys in the first. Conversely, aggressive defensive play held Jax State (6-12, 1-5) to just 3-of-13 from the field to start, leading to a 22-6 difference at the end of one. The Red-and-White could only muster a pair of field goals the following period resulting in a 34-10 halftime deficit.
Jacksonville State's offense produced better in the third, outscoring the team's first half total by one point.
Kristol Ayson heated up, converting three field goals in nine minutes, to help the team post 11 points in the period. A 48-21 lead for Liberty going into the final stanza increased as reserves gathered playing time, wrapping up with a final score of 63-32.
Bre'Anna Rhodes had a team-best 11 points and Ayson added nine points and a steal.
Mya Barnes grabbed 7 boards in 19 minutes, a mark that stood tied as a game-high.
The Gamecocks shot just 14-of-51 (27.5%) from the field and 1-of-16 (6.3%) from the arc. In addition, they were out-rebounded 47-23.
Jax State returns home on Thursday to play host to UTEP. That matchup at Pete Mathews Coliseum will tip-off at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats for that game 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.
