MIAMI – A trio of Gamecocks scored double figures in the second-half alone as Jax State erased its largest road deficit for a win in more than 15 years with its 77-75 comeback against FIU.
 
Leading for barely four minutes total on Saturday, the Gamecocks even their overall mark at 14-14 with the win and improve to 6-7 in Conference USA play. They currently sit tied with Middle Tennessee for fourth in the league standings.
 
With 15:08 remaining in the second half, FIU went up 49-36, before Jax State rallied from down double-digits in the second half for the second time this season. The Gamecocks erased a 12-point second-half deficit at Tarleton State on Dec. 18. On Saturday, Jax State dug out of a 13-point hole in just over 11 minutes as Marcellus Brigham Jr. hit back-to-back triples to tie and then take the lead.
 
While the 13-point comeback is the largest for Jax State overall since rallying from down 20 to Lipscomb on Jan. 11, 2022, it's also the largest the Gamecocks have come back from on the road in at least 15 seasons going back through the 2009 campaign.
 
Wednesday's hero Matt Mayers helped the Gamecocks stay in the game early with a team-high six first-half points as the Gamecocks trailed 36-27 at intermission. KyKy Tandy, who would finish with his ninth 20-point game of the year, had just five points at the half. His 15 in the second stanza joined Andres Burney, who had all 12 of his game points in the final 20 minutes, and Brigham Jr., who came on strong with 12 second-half points including two clutch threes in the closing minutes.
 
Brigham's consecutive triples came right in the heart of a 13-0 Gamecock run to go from down 67-62 with five minutes remaining to ahead, 75-67, with 2:27 left on the clock.
 
The Panthers made their way to the free throw line in the final possessions to close back within one score and had an opportunity to tie of win it at the buzzer, but a desperation three-pointer didn't connect for the home team that led for more than 35 minutes on Saturday.
 
Although limited early due to foul trouble, senior Juwan Perdue finished with 4 points and three rebounds in his 133rd appearance in a Jax State uniform. He tied former teammate Maros Zeliznak for most games played in program history and will own the mark outright in his next game.
 
Jax State returns home to host UTEP on Thursday, Feb. 29.