CONWAY, S.C. – Jaron Pierre Jr. set a new career high with 31 points as Jacksonville State stumped Coastal Carolina in a strong defensive outing on Sunday. The Gamecocks held the Chanticleers to just 36% from the floor on the way to a 71-53 victory.

With the win, Jax State improves to 3-1 on the season while Coastal Carolina falls to 1-3. Jax State now sports a win over two Sun Belt programs in Georgia State and CCU and are slated to play at South Alabama on Dec. 8.

Tied 11-11 with 12:34 remaining in the first half, Jacksonville State rattled off its largest run of the season, scoring 20 straight over a seven-minute stretch to extend the lead to 31-11. Jax State took a 33-17 lead into the final first half media timeout.

Jax State led Coastal 38-21 at halftime with Pierre accounting for 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Six other Gamecocks added at least two points in the first half.

Coastal Carolina cut the Jax State lead to 14 with 13:48 remaining before Jax State rallied for another big run, this one a 14-2 advantage for the Gamecocks, making the lead 60-34 with 6:27 left in the contest.

Coastal Carolina scored 16 of its 53 points in the final five minutes of the game.

Pierre finished the game with 31 points, surpassing his previous career high of 29 set on Jan. 29, 2022 against Rice in his time at Southern Miss. Pierre has scored over 20 points in all four games this season and is averaging a Conference USA high 25.8 points per game.

Six Gamecocks finished the game with three or more rebounds, including eight apiece from Mason Nicholson and Michael Houge. Koree Cotton added 13 points to go along with six rebounds.

Pierre finished the game with a team-high three assists with Marcellus Brigham and Jao Ituka each adding two assists. Nicholson finished the game with a season-high three blocks, one shy of his career high of four.

Jax State turned the ball over just three times on Sunday and held a 32-22 advantage over Coastal Carolina in paint points.

The Gamecocks leave Myrtle Beach and head south to Daytona Beach to participate in the Boardwalk Battle on Nov. 21-23. Jax State opens up the MTE against East Carolina on Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. before taking on one of Stetson or Toledo on Nov. 22.