JACKSONVILLE – Madison McCoy's career-high 19 points and big performances by Kristol Ayson and Bre'Anna Rhodes highlighted Jacksonville State's 74-70 overtime triumph over Sam Houston on Saturday. That Senior Day win secures the five-seed for the Gamecocks in next week's Conference USA Tournament. 
 
"The game didn't have to be this unbelievable," head coach Rick Pietri said. "We had every opportunity to win in regulation and we gave it to them. They deserved to take it to overtime. In overtime, frankly Madison McCoy put us on her back. She willed us to win it."
 
The opening period was dominated by the Bearkats (7-21, 2-14). They knocked down 10 field goals and held Jax State (12-16, 7-9) to just 4-of-19 (21.1%) from the field. As a result, they led by as many as 11 in the first and held a 22-12 advantage going into the second period. Fortunately, the Red-and-White benefited from perfect free throw shooting in the following frame, going 7-for-7 from the charity stripe to cut into the deficit. An 8-1 scoring run ended the half, sending the Gamecocks into the locker rooms down 31-29. 
 
The run continued to begin the second half and Jacksonville State quickly claimed their first lead, gaining as much as a 6-point cushion in the period. Sam Houston would battle back themselves, using their big inside presence to make it a 49-45 game as the final stanza approached. 
 
Jax State continued to hit shots throughout the fourth quarter, building a comfortable 61-53 lead with under two minutes left. However, a resilient SHSU squad would not give in, generating points off turnovers late to knot it up with under 20 seconds remaining. Both sides missed last-second opportunities, sending the Senior Day contest into overtime. 
 
Sam Houston raced out the gates to an early lead in the extra period before the Gamecocks woke up. McCoy and Bre'Anna Rhodes combined for nine points in the last five minutes, guiding the home team to an exhilarating Senior Day triumph. 
 
McCoy ended up with 19 points and nine rebounds, sinking eight free throws and adding two blocks against the Bearkats. Rhodes had 16 points and six boards and Ayson posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double at Pete Mathews Coliseum. 
 
"We ended up 7-9 in this league after starting out 1-5," Pietri said. "(McCoy) is a really big reason why. The manner in which she conducts herself within the team has helped her emerge as a leader. She leads vocally and by example. She busts her tail, and today she busted her tail and made plays. That's why we were able to finish and win the game." 
 
Jacksonville State out-rebounded Sam Houston 50-37 and scored 21 points off 26 turnovers. In addition, 38 points in the paint, 19 second-chance points, and 14 fast break points helped massively in the victory.
 
The Gamecocks are back in action in next week's Conference USA Tournament in Huntsville, Ala. Today's win, as well as results from other games across the league, handed Jax State the tournament's five-seed. Thursday's quarterfinal contest against fourth-seeded Louisiana Tech will tip-off at 11:30 a.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
"I'm happy for this team that we tied for fourth in Conference USA in our first time in the league," Pietri said. "We'll play the four-seed, but that's a team that beat us by double-digits both times. We've got a challenge ahead of us. We'll enjoy this for the rest of the day and then we'll start preparing on Monday."
 
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).

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