JACKSONVILLE--After downing the FIU Panthers 71–64 on Wednesday night, the Gamecocks now travel just 84 miles to Kennesaw State to face the Owls on Saturday at 4 p.m. Central at VyStar Arena.  

The Gamecocks are 3–1 in Conference USA play with wins over Delaware, Western Kentucky, and FIU, while Kennesaw State sits at 1–3 in league action with losses to Delaware, Middle Tennessee, and Liberty, but a 90–80 win over Missouri State in their most recent game on Wednesday. 

Freshman Jacoby Hill recorded a career-high 19 points against FIU, shooting an efficient 8-of-10 from the field and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, and will look to continue his hot shooting streak in Kennesaw on Saturday afternoon. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil has been a consistent offensive presence for the Gamecocks, averaging 18.1 points per game, which ranks fifth in Conference USA. 

For Kennesaw State, preseason Conference USA Player of the Year Simeon Cottle leads the conference in scoring at 19.7 points per game. He added to that total Wednesday with a 25-point performance in the win over Missouri State, with 15 of his points coming from the free-throw line. Sophomore Braedan Lue is averaging 11.3 points per game for the Owls, the second-highest mark on the team. 

Jacksonville State will look to rely on their defense, which is holding opponents to a .381 field goal percentage and holding opponents to only 64.6 points per game, both second in CUSA. The Gamecocks look to slow Kennesaw State's conference-leading offense that averages 89.0 points per game. 

Following the trip to Kennesaw, the Gamecocks return home to begin a three-game homestand in Jacksonville against Sam Houston, Middle Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech.