Gamecocks' Rally Falls Short Against Hilltoppers at Pete Mathews Coliseum
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks faced a tough challenge against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, ending in a 59-70 defeat. The Gamecocks now stand with an even record, while the Hilltoppers improved their standing. Despite a hard-fought battle, the home team could not secure victory at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks started strong, matching the Hilltoppers' intensity in the first half with both teams neck and neck. The home team's defense was on display as they racked up five blocks and matched their opponents with eight steals each. Both teams were equally generous with assists, dishing out ten apiece.
Offensively, the Gamecocks showed resilience inside the paint scoring 36 points to their opponent's 38 points in that area. They also had a slightly better two-point shooting percentage at 48 percent compared to Western Kentucky's 44 percent. However, struggles from beyond the arc were evident for Jacksonville State as they only managed to convert one of their fourteen three-point attempts into points.
Despite these efforts, turnovers proved costly for Jacksonville State as they gave up possession fourteen times which led to ten points off turnovers for Western Kentucky. The visitors capitalized on these opportunities and maintained an edge throughout the game.
The standout performers for Jacksonville State included players who fought valiantly under pressure but ultimately fell short against a determined Western Kentucky side that executed well down the stretch. With solid rebounding numbers from both sides – forty rebounds for Jacksonville State and forty-two for Western Kentucky – it was clear that every possession was fiercely contested.
Looking ahead after this setback, fans of Jacksonville State can catch their next game against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs scheduled on February 15th at Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston LA; tip-off is set for 6:00 PM local time. This matchup will be available to stream online via ESPN+.