JACKSONVILLE – Shooting struggles sank Jacksonville State women's basketball in Thursday's 61-51 home loss to Louisiana Tech. The Gamecocks were out-shot 48.0% to 30.4%, and their inability to find a consistent attack down the stretch loomed large in the ten-point defeat.
 
"They were just better than we were," head coach Rick Pietri said. "They beat us by 14 at their place and ten at our place. After two games, you have to make a judgment: they're the better team. 
 
"In particular, they cared a lot more than we did today," Pietri added. "We were not focused enough. We made too many radically bad mistakes, and on top of that we had a very difficult time putting the ball in the goal."
 
Jax State (9-14, 4-7) and Louisiana Tech (9-17, 3-7) both started Thursday's game at The Pete on a hot streak offensively. A combined 12 field goals found their way into the net in the opening ten minutes and the visitors claimed a slim 17-16 lead through one. Unfortunately, the production did not carry over to the following frame. The Gamecocks shot just 1-of-12 in the second quarter and, despite a late burst, entered the half down 31-27.
 
The tit-for-tat nature of the game continued in the third period. Rachel Johnson drained a pair of threes and Jacksonville State totaled 17 points in the interval, but 17 points for the Lady Techsters kept it at a four-point difference at quarter's end. The Red-and-White went just 1-of-9 shooting, and a big final period by Louisiana Tech's Jianna Morris closed up a 61-51 setback for the Gamecocks.
 
"We weren't able to finish the things we were trying to do on the offensive end," Pietri said. "They made the plays and we didn't- period, the end."
 
Madison McCoy was the only Jax State contributor to score in double figures, ending up with ten points and five rebounds. Bre'Anna Rhodes added nine points and seven boards and Mya Barnes had eight points and seven rebounds. 
 
Jacksonville State held a 37-24 advantage in rebounding but shot just 30.4% from the field and 22.2% from the arc and committed 21 turnovers in the loss.
 
The Gamecocks continue Conference USA play next week on the road. They travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., next Wednesday to take on Middle Tennessee. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off and it 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.