Gamecocks Edge Panthers in a Close Conference Clash at Pete Mathews Coliseum
In a closely contested conference game, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks emerged victorious over the Florida International Panthers with a final score of 70-63. The Gamecocks now stand with an improved record, while the Panthers' record took a hit following the defeat.
The Pete Mathews Coliseum witnessed an intense battle where both teams displayed formidable defense and offense. The Gamecocks, playing on their home turf, managed to outperform their opponents in several key areas. With a total of 44 rebounds compared to the Panthers' 27, they dominated the boards. This included an impressive haul of 28 defensive rebounds which helped limit second-chance points for the visitors.
Offensively, Jacksonville State was efficient from both inside and outside the arc. They shot at a commendable 46 percent from field goals and an even more impressive 35 percent from three-point range. Their free throw accuracy was also noteworthy as they converted 79 percent of their attempts.
The home team's distribution of ball was slightly better than that of their rivals; they tallied up to 13 assists over Florida International's 11. However, turnovers were an area where Jacksonville State will seek improvement; they committed a substantial total of 20 turnovers during the game but were fortunate that it did not cost them dearly.
Defensively, Jacksonville State put up five blocks and six steals which contributed significantly to disrupting Florida International's offensive flow. The Panthers did manage to steal possession eleven times but could not capitalize on these opportunities as effectively as needed.
Florida International had moments where they shined offensively despite falling short on overall performance metrics compared to Jacksonville State. They scored more points in paint (38) than Jacksonville State (30) and had higher fast break points (12). Nonetheless, their shooting percentages from both two-point range (49 percent) and three-point range (18 percent) were lower than those recorded by Jacksonville State.
As for individual performances worthy of mention – though names are not provided – it can be inferred that there were standout players who made critical contributions throughout this nail-biting contest given some high statistical outputs on both sides.
Looking ahead after this hard-fought victory at home, fans can catch the next action-packed game featuring Jacksonville State Gamecocks as guests against Liberty Flames at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg on January 10th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time broadcasted via ESPN+.