HUNTSVILLE, Texas—Jax State got a 38-point performance from Conference USA's leading scorer, but came up four points short at Sam Houston on Saturday.
 
After trailing by 17 with 13:33 left, Jax State rallied to tie the game at 60 with 7:34 left, but were unable to grab the lead in an 82-78 setback to fall to 13-14 on the season and 8-8 in league play.
 
A layup by El Moutaouakkil off a turnover with 9:42 left in the first gave Jax State a 21-12 lead, but a 10-2 run over the next three-and-a-half minutes cut the deficit to just one. The game was tied at 26 with 2:43 to play when Sam Houston closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a double-digit halftime lead.
 
An 8-0 run by the Bearkats (19-8, 11-5 CUSA) pushed the lead to 16 at the under-16 timeout. Jax State used an 11-0 run in two-and-a-half minutes to turn what was a 14-point deficit into just three at 58-55 with 8:33 to play. All of the points scored in that run came from reserves.
 
Jamar Franklin scored five straight points to tie the game at 60. The Gamecocks trailed by one at three different points, but missed two shots and committed a turnover on those possessions.
 
Franklin finished with 11 points, connecting on three 3-pointers. Jaye Nash had seven points, five assists, and three rebounds in relief.
 
The Gamecocks will take on Delaware on Thursday at 6 p.m. in a game that will air on CBS Sports Network.