Stellar Shooting Helps Gamecocks Conclude Non-Conference Schedule Victorious

Monday, December 30

Jacksonville, Ala.

7 PM

Jax State

8-5,0-0CUSA

111

Fort Valley State

0-11,0-4SIAC

Team	1	2	F
Fort Valley St.	40	30	70
Jacksonville St.	58	53	111

12/30/2024 9:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. —In its final non-conference game of the season, Jacksonville State put together its best offensive output of the season.

The Gamecocks shot 62% from the field and 52% from 3-point range to defeat Division II Fort Valley State 111-70 at the Pete Mathews Coliseum Monday night.

Jax State (8-5) was successful on each of its first four shots of the night and registered field goals on all nine of their first nine possessions of the night to take a 23-9 lead at the first media timeout at the 14:08 mark of the half.

Jao Ituka connected on four of his first seven shots, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Koree Cotton's layup at the 9:21 mark of the first gave the Gamecocks a 36-19 advantage for their biggest lead of the first. The Gamecocks also held a 17-point lead at the 6:14 mark of the first after a Jamar Franklin 3-pointer.

Iaroslav Niagu's three-point play at the 2:13 mark of the first was part of a 7-0 run that spanned just over 2:00 and saw Jax State take a 20-point lead at 58-38 with 46 seconds left.

The 58 points scored in the first half matched the most in a half by Jax State this season.

The Wildcats used some hot shooting of their own to remain within shouting distance, draining 5-of-11 from 3-point land and connecting on 48.4% from the field in the first half.

The Gamecocks picked up where they left off in the second half, with nine makes in their first 11 attempts which included a 3-for-4 effort from bonus range.

A 12-4 run to start the second half by Jax State, capped by back-to-back dunks by Mason Nicholson gave the hosts a 26-point advantage at 70-44 with 16:54 left. The lead hit 30 on a steal and slam by Quel'Ron House at the 8:27 mark to go up 93-63. House finished with 11 points and Nicholson with 10.

Jaron Pierre sunk six of his first seven shots of the second half, finishing the night with a double-double effort of 29 points and 10 assists, his 10th game of the season with 20 or more points and his second double-double of the year.

"Jaron was so efficient tonight; he could probably get 40 if he wanted to," said coach Ray Harper. "I thought we did a pretty good job of sharing the ball and looking for each other."

Jax State closed the game on a 10-0 run over the final 4:23.

Michael Houge posted his third double-double of the season with 10 points and a team-best 13 rebounds. Marcellus Brigham Jr. was also in double figures with 11 points.

Jax State also held a 44-24 advantage in total rebounds and outscored the Wildcats 54-32 in the paint.

"We did some really good things, but defensively, we have some things over the next four days that we have to clean up," said Harper.

The game was an exhibition for Fort Valley and did not affect their win-loss record.

Jax State opens Conference USA play on the road Saturday at Kennesaw State at 4 p.m.