MOBILE, Ala. – The Jax State Men's Basketball team stormed back from down 16 to take a lead in Mobile on Sunday before falling to a late South Alabama push 76-74. The Gamecocks led by as many as six points in the game and led with less than three minutes remaining in the contest

With the loss, Jax State falls to 5-4 on the season while South Alabama improves to 6-3. Jax State finishes the non-conference slate 2-2 against Sun Belt opponents, with wins over Georgia State and Coastal Carolina and losses to JMU and the Jaguars.

Despite the loss, Jao Ituka finished with 22 points, his second consecutive 20-point showing. The redshirt sophomore from Gaithersburg, Md. ended his Monday outing against Columbia International with 20 points.

The two teams played each other close for most of the first half before South Alabama rattled off a 12-4 run over the final 3:18 in the first half, taking a 39-30 break into the half.

The Jaguars led by as many as 16 points after opening up the second half on a 7-0 advantage before Jax State began to make its push.

The Gamecocks dominated over a four-minute stretch, going on a 24-4 run to take a five-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. The run included a personal 9-0 mark by Ituka alongside efforts from Jaron Pierre Jr. and Michael Houge.

South Alabama took a 67-65 lead with 3:33 left after a trio of offensive rebounds. Jax State hit a free throw, cutting the USA lead two and nearly pulled down an offensive rebound for a chance at one last shot before the Jaguars came down with the ball.

Jax State out-rebounded the Jaguars 38-29 but an 18-6 turnover for South Alabama proved to be the difference. USA finished with 25 points off turnovers compared to Jax State's three.

Houge finished with his best game since the season opener, pouring on 17 points while also securing a team high eight rebounds and two blocks. Ituka also finished his afternoon with four rebounds and three assists.

Pierre Jr. led the way for Jax State with six assists, adding on 13 points before fouling out of the game. Freshman Quel'Ron House closed out the second game of his career with four assists.

Jax State finished the game 12-of-27 from three for a 44 percent clip. Ituka led the way with five made threes.

The Gamecocks return to the hardwood on Saturday, Dec. 14 when they welcome Utah Valley to the Pete Mathews Coliseum at 4 p.m.