JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – On a night where the 1985 Men's Basketball Division II National Championship winning Gamecocks were honored at halftime, Jax State improved to 7-0 at home on Saturday with a 70-62 come-from-behind win over Sam Houston.

Jax State improves to 11-7 (3-2 CUSA) on the season while the Bearkats fall to 8-11 (1-5 CUSA). Sam Houston took home last season's Conference USA regular season championship.

Jax State struggled to find its offensive groove in the first half of action on Saturday, shooting just 32 percent from the field and 14 percent from three. Sam Houston countered with a 46 percent figure from the floor and 47 percent from three on 15 attempts, leading to a 32-26 halftime advantage.

The Gamecocks came out of the break firing on all cylinders, outscoring Sam Houston 16-9 in the first seven minutes of action to take a 42-41 lead with 13:11 on the clock. The Bearkats knocked down a pair of free throws to regain a 43-42 advantage. The lead would be SHSU's final lead of the game.

In the final 12 minutes of the game, Jax State rattled off 28 points after scoring just 26 in the first 20 minutes of the afternoon. Jaron Pierre poured on 18 second half points while Quel'Ron House tallied 14 in the second frame.

The Gamecocks shot 51.6 percent from the field in the second half.

Pierre led Jax State with 20 points in the contest while House set a new career high with 19 points, knocking off his previous best of 14 tallied last week against WKU.

The Gamecocks held the advantage on the glass 37-30 and in the paint 32-22 on the way to their third conference victory of the season.

Michael Houge finished with a double-double for the fifth time this season, tallying 10 points and 11 rebounds. Mason Nicholson added seven boards of his own.

Marcellus Brigham Jr., finished with a team-high three assists while Nicholson and House each had two dimes.

Jax State is back in action next week at UTEP on Thursday, Jan. 23 and at New Mexico State on Saturday, Jan. 25.