Saturday, February 10
Bowling Green, KY
2 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
at
Western Kentucky
Jax State Set for Second Showdown with WKU
2/9/2024 3:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Following Thursday night's come-from-behind win at Sam Houston, Gamecock women's basketball remains on the road this weekend for another prudent Conference USA clash. Saturday afternoon's contest at Western Kentucky will start at 2 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky.
Jacksonville State (9-12, 4-5) used a big fourth quarter to down SHSU in Huntsville, Texas, on Thursday. The Bearkats entered the final frame leading 43-33 before a resilient Gamecock squad tightened up, shooting 10-for-18 from the field to retake the lead and holding on in the final seconds for a 58-56 triumph. Now winners of three straight, the Red-and-White will travel to the Bluegrass State for their second meeting of the year- and all time- with the Lady Toppers (14-10, 5-4).
Junior forward Bre'Anna Rhodes is still the team's leader in scoring (8.2 points per game) and rebounding (4.9 rebounds per game). Kristol Ayson (7.6 ppg) and Mya Barnes (6.4 ppg) are just behind her on the offensive end while Asia Barclay (4.4 rpg) has continued to collect rebounds at a high rate.
Western Kentucky claimed a victory in the first showdown between the new CUSA rivals back on Jan. 13. That 62-52 win at Pete Mathews Coliseum saw WKU pull away late as three performers- Alexis Mead (18 points), Destiny Salary (17 points), and Odeth Betancourt (12 points)- finished in double figures scoring. Conversely, their defense held Jax State to just 33.3% (20-of-60) from the field and 3-of-24 (12.5%) from deep.
The Lady Toppers have struggled some since their matchup in the Yellowhammer State. They split the following week's results at home, suffering a narrow loss to New Mexico State then rebounding with a one-point win over UTEP. After falling at FIU on Jan. 25, they dropped a shocking overtime result at Sam Houston, 87-81, to gift the Bearkats their first ever Conference USA triumph. Their losing streak reached three with last Saturday's 80-48 setback at Middle Tennessee, but they bounced back a 64-56 victory over Louisiana Tech earlier this week.
The Gamecocks have never played Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky., but head coach Rick Pietri comes in 2-10 all-time at Diddle Arena. His South Alabama teams went a combined 8-16 versus WKU in his ten years in Mobile and did not win in BG until his final two seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13).
Saturday's game will be covered on ESPN+ and Logan Maddox will have the call on the Gamecock Sports Network. Links to watch, listen, or follow along with live stats 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.
Jacksonville State (9-12, 4-5) used a big fourth quarter to down SHSU in Huntsville, Texas, on Thursday. The Bearkats entered the final frame leading 43-33 before a resilient Gamecock squad tightened up, shooting 10-for-18 from the field to retake the lead and holding on in the final seconds for a 58-56 triumph. Now winners of three straight, the Red-and-White will travel to the Bluegrass State for their second meeting of the year- and all time- with the Lady Toppers (14-10, 5-4).
Junior forward Bre'Anna Rhodes is still the team's leader in scoring (8.2 points per game) and rebounding (4.9 rebounds per game). Kristol Ayson (7.6 ppg) and Mya Barnes (6.4 ppg) are just behind her on the offensive end while Asia Barclay (4.4 rpg) has continued to collect rebounds at a high rate.
Western Kentucky claimed a victory in the first showdown between the new CUSA rivals back on Jan. 13. That 62-52 win at Pete Mathews Coliseum saw WKU pull away late as three performers- Alexis Mead (18 points), Destiny Salary (17 points), and Odeth Betancourt (12 points)- finished in double figures scoring. Conversely, their defense held Jax State to just 33.3% (20-of-60) from the field and 3-of-24 (12.5%) from deep.
The Lady Toppers have struggled some since their matchup in the Yellowhammer State. They split the following week's results at home, suffering a narrow loss to New Mexico State then rebounding with a one-point win over UTEP. After falling at FIU on Jan. 25, they dropped a shocking overtime result at Sam Houston, 87-81, to gift the Bearkats their first ever Conference USA triumph. Their losing streak reached three with last Saturday's 80-48 setback at Middle Tennessee, but they bounced back a 64-56 victory over Louisiana Tech earlier this week.
The Gamecocks have never played Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky., but head coach Rick Pietri comes in 2-10 all-time at Diddle Arena. His South Alabama teams went a combined 8-16 versus WKU in his ten years in Mobile and did not win in BG until his final two seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13).
Saturday's game will be covered on ESPN+ and Logan Maddox will have the call on the Gamecock Sports Network. Links to watch, listen, or follow along with live stats 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.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
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