JACKSONVILLE – Mya Barnes nailed a game winning three with 6.2 seconds left to lift Jax State women's basketball past the visiting Sam Houston Bearkats Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks downed the Bearkats 69-68.
 
Barnes scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to record her team-leading seventh double-double of the season. Meanwhile, Brooklyn McDaniel had a career-day against the Bearkats as she scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. McDaniel's impact was felt against Sam Houston, particularly after missing the first contest against them on Jan. 29.
 
Jax State (13-14, 7-8) trailed Sam Houston (16-9, 9-5) after the first quarter 16-9. Maria Sanchez-Ponce knocked down a three to get within four by the media timeout in the second quarter. Jax State took their first lead of the game when Barnes was fouled on a made layup. After hitting the free throw, Jax State was in front 23-22 with 1:26 before halftime. Sam Houston eventually made a basket to go up 24-23 at the break.
 
In the third, McDaniel sparked a quick 4-0 run to put the Gamecocks in front 38-36 with 3:52 on the clock before sinking a layup to make it 41-38 Gamecocks. Ponce hit a three late in the third, but Sam Houston responded with a mid-range jump shot to get within one. Makala Hobdy sank one of two shots at the foul line to close out the third and help the Gamecocks hold a 45-43 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
 
Sam Houston went up 51-49 with just over six minutes left, but back-to-back buckets by Ponce and McDaniel made it 54-51 Jax State with 5:22 to play. McDaniel later scored five-straight points including a layup to cut the Bearkats lead to 66-63 with 28 seconds remaining. Eden Sample knocked down a three to cut make it 67-66 Sam Houston with under 20 seconds on the clock.
 
Barnes drilled the game winner from the wing in the very next possession off an assist from Sample.
 
Other top performers for Jax State included Ponce who scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, Adriana Jones who scored nine points, and Sample who also added nine points.
 
The Gamecocks will now head west to take on UTEP on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. central.
 
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