COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jax State led by as many as 11, but was outscored 51-37 in the second half as Air Force handed the Gamecocks their first loss of the season, 73-67 on Thursday. The Falcons out-shot Jax State beyond-the-arc, making six more threes in the Gamecocks' road opening contest.
 
With the loss, Jax State falls to 1-1 on the season while Air Force improves to 1-1.
 
Jax State took a 30-22 lead into the half behind a team-high eight points from Koree Cotton, while Michael Houge eclipsed the 10-rebound mark with just over one minute remaining in the first half.
 
The Gamecocks led for a majority of the first half after taking a lead with 13:06 remaining and not relinquishing until the 13:28 mark in the second half.
 
Jaron Pierre Jr. poured on 19 second half points on 7-of-10 shooting in the second half to finish with a team-high 21 points. Pierre also finished the contest with four assists and two rebounds.
 
The Falcons finished the night shooting 38.7% from three, including a 50% margin in the second half. Air Force sank six of the first nine three point attempts out of the halftime break.
 
With Jax State leading 40-30 with 17 minutes left on the clock, Air Force rattled off four three pointers to go on a 12-0 run and take its first lead of the half.
 
Jax State and Air Force battled over the next 4:33 before the Falcons took the final lead of the game with 8:55 remaining.
 
Air Force capitalized on Gamecock mistakes, scoring 18 points off of Jax State turnovers while Jax State scored just two points off of turnovers.
 
Cotton joined Pierre as the only other Gamecock in double figures, finishing his day with 10 points before fouling out with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.
 
Marcellus Brigham Jr. finished the day with five points and eight rebounds while Mason Nicholson was Jax State's third leading scorer with nine points.
 
Jax State returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13, welcoming Georgia State to Pete Mathews Coliseum at 6 p.m.