NEWARK, Del.—Jax State never trailed by more than two in their first Conference USA road test of the season.
 
The Gamecocks led for over 34 minutes of a 67-64 victory at Delaware to move to 7-6 on the season and 2-0 in league play despite some offensive struggles in the second half of a game that featured nine lead changes and five ties.  
 
"I thought tonight we were just too stagnant on offense," said coach Ray Harper. "I thought we had really made some strides the last couple games, but anytime you can get a win on the road you have to be happy."
 
Jax State made just seven field goals in the second half which included going just 1-of-8 from the 3-point line, but made up for it by going 18-of-26 at the free throw line, compared to Delaware's 5-for-6 effort at the charity stripe.
 
An 8-0 run in the first half that spanned 1:56 saw the Gamecocks take their biggest lead of the night at 36-25 with 2:23 left when AC Bryant connected on one of three 3-pointers on the night.
 
Bryant finished with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds.
 
Delaware (4-9, 0-2 CUSA) scored six unanswered to end the half to cut the deficit to 36-31 at the break.
 
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil scored 12 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, helping the Gamecocks come out of an early slump at the start of the second with a layup at the 10:31 mark off a Delaware turnover to get his team up 52-42. He also made two free throws which each tied the game in the final five minutes, and scored a layup with 1:46 left to push the lead to four at 62-58.   
 
Freshman Jacoby Hill had a putback layup with six seconds left to get the Gamecocks back to a four-point advantage and calmly connected on a pair of free throws on the next possession to keep his team in the lead. Hill had eight points and five rebounds.
 
Jaye Nash dished out a team-high three assists.
 
The Gamecocks will wrap up their road trip on Sunday with Liberty, which improved to 10-3 with an 81-73 win over Kennesaw State.