JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Brian Williams scored 17 points as Jacksonville State held off Tennessee State 72-65 Saturday to snap a four-game skid and post the Gamecocks’ first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season.
Jacksonville State (6-12, 1-4) never trailed and led 39-22 at halftime.
With the Gamecocks ahead 51-38, Robert Covington scored eight points in a 10- 2 run to get the Tigers (8-9, 1-3) within five, at 53-48 with 5:16 left.
Jacksonville State pulled away with an 8-2 spurt and hit 13 of 16 free throws in the final 1:46.
Ronnie Boggs added 12 points and Dion Waiters 10 for the Gamecocks, who outshot Tennessee State 50 percent (24 of 48) to 29.8 percent (17 of 57). The teams attempted a combined 62 free throws, with Jacksonville State 20 of 29 and Tennessee State 27 of 33.
Covington scored 15 to lead the Tigers, who have lost three in a row.
