BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team is set to travel to Bowling Green, Ky. for the front end of a two game road trip on Thursday. The Gamecocks open the trip at Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9. 
 
Jax State (8-6, 0-1 CUSA) vs Western Kentucky (10-5, 1-1 CUSA)
When: Thursday, January 9 | 7 PM 
Where: E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
TV: ESPN+ 
Radio: Listen to all the action on the Gamecock Sports Network as "The Voice" Mike Parris returns behind the mic for his 42nd season calling play-by-play action of Gamecock Basketball. Anchor stations for the Gamecock Sports Network include 91.9 WLJS (Jacksonville), WVOK 97.9 (Anniston/Oxford), WKXX 102.9 (Attalla/Gadsden), 95.5 WRBZ (Montgomery/Wetumpka), 95.3/94.7 WCRL (Oneonta), 97.7 WKXM (Winfield) and 107.1 WRAB (Arab).
 
 
Jax State Notes
 
 
 
Last Time Out
Jax State opened up CUSA play with a 83-71 road loss to Kennesaw State. The Gamecocks were out-rebounded for the first time this season, 44-28, including a 29-18 margin on the defensive boards for the Owls.
 
Bluegrass Connections
Jax State head coach Ray Harper boasts a few connections to the Bluegrass State, including a head coaching stint at WKU. Harper, a Bremen, Ky. native, spent five seasons at the helm of the Hiltopper MBB program, including an 89-64 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Harper also spent nine seasons as the head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
Sharing the Love
Against Fort Valley State on Dec. 30, Jax State finished the game with a season-best 22 assists. With the great playmaking display came six double-digit scoring performances, headlined by Jaron Pierre (29) and Jao Ituka (17) Marcellus Brigham Jr. (11), Quel'Ron House (11), Michael Houge (10) and Mason Nicholson (10) also joined the club.
 
He Shoots, He Scores
Jaron Pierre Jr. finished his contest against Fort Valley State just two points shy of his career-high in points and set a new career-best in assists. Pierre shot an impressive 12-for-14 from the floor to finish the game with 29 points and added 10 assists. The New Orleans native also had four rebounds against the Wildcats.
 
Jao Do You Do?
After sinking just seven threes on 38.9 percent from beyond the arc in his first seven games this year, Jao Ituka is shooting 47.7 percent from three on 21 makes in his last seven games. Ituka is averaging 13.9 points per game in that stretch after averaging 7.4 in his first seven games this season.
 
100 For Cell
Marcellus Brigham Jr. is the longest tenured player on the Jax State roster, returning for his fifth season in Jacksonville. Brigham has appeared in 105 games across his five seasons in Jacksonville. His appearance at South Alabama this season served as his 100th career game in a Gamecock uniform. 
 
JP in the Ranks
Through 14 games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top 20 nationally in both Total Points (12th) and PPG (3rd). Pierre's 22.9 points per game lead Conference USA and puts him just 0.1 PPG behind Northern Arizona's Trenton McLaughlin for second place. 
 
Up Next
Following the game at WKU, Jax State is set for a Saturday contest at Middle Tennessee. Jax State opens up its home CUSA slate on Jan. 16 with Louisiana Tech.