Charleston, IL (Sports Network) - Tarvin Gaines scored 22 points including the
go-ahead 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining as the Jacksonville
State Gamecocks took care of the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 61-55, at Lantz
Arena.
Brian Williams played a full 40 minutes for the Gamecocks (12-5, 4-2 OVC) and
scored 16 points to go along with seven assists and five rebounds. JSU has now
won four of its last six contests.
Sherman Blanford was the lone Panther (3-15, 0-5) in double figures with 10
points and seven boards off the bench. Austin Akers netted nine points and
dished out five assists. EIU has not won a game since November, dropping 11
straight games.
The Gamecocks led 29-26 at halftime after shooting 47.6 percent from the floor
in the first half.
After a back and forth second half, a free throw by Akers with 2:46 tied the
score at 53-53. Both teams then went cold before Gaines found space and hit a
triple to give JSU the lead back. Gaines and Ronnie Boggs then did their job
at the foul line to keep EIU from coming back in the final moments.
Despite the loss, the Panthers reserves outscored the JSU bench, 25-9.
GAME NOTES:
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