JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Tarvin Gaines recorded a double-double to lead Jacksonville State past Alabama State 78-65 on Saturday night.
Gaines, who scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, made 10 of his 11 free throws. His two free throws with 8:52 left in the second half gave Jacksonville State (2-2) a 56-41 lead and capped off a 17-9 run.
Alabama State (0-4) fought back, narrowing the gap to nine, 69-60, with 2:15 left to play. But Gaines’ tip-in on Jacksonville State’s next possession put the Gamecocks ahead for good.
Stephen Hall added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Gamecocks, who got points from 10 of their 11 players.
Kender Washington led Alabama State with 15 points and Tramaine Butler added 13. The Hornets committed only 11 turnovers, compared to 20 for Jacksonville State, but were outrebounded 40-19 and only shot 36.2 percent (21 of 58) from the field.
