Jacksonville State pulls away from UT-Martin 64-54

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Tarvin Gaines scored a season-high 23 points as Jacksonville State pulled away from Tennessee-Martin 64-54 Monday in Ohio Valley Conference action.

Gaines hit 13 of 15 from the foul line and combined with Darion Rackley’s 8 of 10 showing to account for all of Jacksonville State’s 21 free-throw makes in 29 attempts.

Myles Taylor had 22 points and 12 boards for the Skyhawks (3-11, 0-2) for his third double-double this year.

The only other time Jacksonville State (10-3, 2-0) won its first two OVC games was in 2005-06, when it started 3-0.

The Gamecocks entered fourth in the country in defensive 3-point percentage at 24.5, and held Tennessee-Martin to 2-of-10 shooting beyond the arc.

After the teams were tied 22-all at intermission, Gaines put Jacksonville State up 26-25 with two free throws and scored seven points during a 16-3 run that put the Gamecocks ahead 40-28 with 13:34 left.