JACKSONVILLE – Jax State dominated Western Kentucky from start to finish in Monday's Conference USA Men's Basketball opener, coming away with a 78-67 win in Jacksonville.

Jax State fired a clip of 55% (21-for-38) from the field while holding the Hilltoppers to only 22 makes on 72 total attempts.

Jax State jumped ahead early, claiming an 18-4 lead less than eight minutes into the contest. Western Kentucky led the game 4-3 before Jax State secured a 15-0 run in just under four minutes. The 4-3 lead would be WKU's final advantage of the game.

The Gamecocks lead by as many as 18 points in the first half, coming after a Jacoby Hill and-one free throw and would take a 38-22 lead into the halftime break.

Jax State battled with WKU in the second half, sustaining a double-digit lead for just under 18 minutes in the final frame before WKU layup with 2:03 remaining cut the Jax State lead to nine.

Behind AC Bryant's 19 second half points, the Gamecocks were able to hold off the Hilltoppers and secure their first CUSA win of the season with a final score of 78-67.

Bryant finished with 23 points, fresh off a 29-point outing at ETSU on Dec. 20. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil poured on 17 points while Hill (14), Emondrek Erkins-Ford (11) and Jaye Nash (10) all finished in double figures as well.

El Moutouakkil finished one rebound shy of a double-double while Bryant added seven boards of his own. Despite being outrebounded 44-35, Jax State boasted a 30-20 advantage on the defensive glass.

Erkins-Ford and Iaroslav Niagu each led Jax State with three blocks.

After surrendering six losses in seven games dating back to Nov. 19, Jax State has now won its last two contests.

Jax State continues its CUSA stretch on Friday with a road trip beginning at Delaware on Jan. 2 before playing at Liberty on Jan. 4.