Turnovers, missed free throws, and only two players in double-figures. On Thursday, Jan. 23, things just didn’t go APSU’s way as Jacksonville State traveled to the Dunn Center.
Scoring: APSU – Triggs 16, Horton 11, Dyson 9, Betran 7, Arentsen 7, Williams 4, Greer, Freeman, Herring 1
JSU – Williams 25, Rackley 15, Felder 11, Moore 10, Hunter 6, Cook 4
FG%: APSU – 42.9% (21-49), JSU – 43.6% (24-55)
3FG%: APSU – 23.1% (3-13), JSU – 37.5% (6-16)
FT%: APSU – 51.9% (14-27), JSU – 94.4% (17-18)
2nd 0:00 The Govs chances came to an end after a turnover by Williams which gave the Gamecocks an easy layup. From there it was just a matter of free throws for JSU that would seal the game. JSU 71, APSU 59
2nd 1:30 Gamecocks go into stall mode, but eventually give it up. Interesting that Betran or Williams haven’t returned to the floor with just over a minute remaining. Williams now enters, but still no Betran. Dyson steps to the line and hits two big free throws, and as the clock ticks, the Govs are forced to foul. JSU 57, APSU 49
2nd 2:49 A layup by Dyson makes it a 10-point game with Betran and Williams on the bench. Arentsen got a great look from three but just rimmed out, which would have been huge. The Govs aren’t going away but still have some work to do. JSU 57, APSU 47
2nd 4:25 The sophomore center Horton average 10 rebounds a game, but has just three tonight. JSU has really controlled that aspect of the game of putting bodies on him. With so many Govs struggling, the only consistent players down the stretch has been Triggs, who now has 14 points. Having only two players, with Horton being the other with 11, isn’t going to win ball games. If you’re wondering about the go-to guy Betran, he has just four points on two of eight shooting. JSU 57, APSU 45
2nd 7:02 It’s good to see Triggs checking back into the game as the Govs need the senior to try and come back from this deficit. Horton gets a breather as Freeman is in at the opposite post. For the Gamecocks, I’ve learned that Brian Williams can stroke it from behind the arch with a smooth form. He leads all scorers with 17 points. JSU starting to pull away. JSU 55, APSU 39
2nd 11:37 Coming out of a timeout, Felder converted on consecutive tries. He’s a tough guy to guard at 6’7, 232 pounds with good ball handling and can attack the hoop. What a relief that a couple of free throws fell for Dyson, but Felder continues to dominate down low with Triggs still sitting on the bench. The Govs capitalized off a JSU turnover, which allowed Williams to throw up an easy alley hoops for Horton to throw down. Still a double-digit game, however. JSU 48, APSU 36
2nd 17:06 The Govs kicked off the second half with a dunk by Triggs to say,”Hey, I’m still here.” But as soon as I type that, on the next trip down he exits with a limp. Appears to be okay, though. APSU has to get Horton involved in the offense, and they go to him down low who draw a foul on a basket. However, the center missed the free throw, and is now one of six from the line. Freeman, who replaced Triggs, gets an easy bucket to breathe some life into the arena. JSU 35, APSU 29
Second half starters:
Gamecocks: Moore, Mitchem, Williams, Hunter, Felder
Governors: Betran, Williams, Dyson, Triggs, Horton
First half scoring: APSU – Triggs 9, Betran 4, Dyson 3, Horton 3, Arentsen 2, Williams 2
JSU – Rackley 11, Williams 8, Hunter 6, Moore 6, Felder 2, Cook 2
Key stats – APSU free throw percentage – 18% compared to JSU’s 100%. The Govs have eight turnovers, with the Gamecocks turning them into 13 points. Despite a 12 point lead, the Gamecocks have a lower percentage from the floor with 41% compared to APSU’s 45%.
HALFTIME: JSU 35, APSU 23
1st 0:50 This is getting out of hand as Rackley nails another three, with the Gamecocks now five for nine from behind the arch. Meanwhile, the Govs are just nine of 20 from the field. The frustrations continue as Dyson steps to the line, and misses back-to-back free throws. This is easily the worst the Govs have played the season, and I don’t think it’s close. JSU 35, APSU 23
1st 3:57 From press row and Coach Loos’ point of view, it appeared to be a walk on a JSU player, but led to a dunk by Nick Cook. A turnover allowed Rackley to get an easy layup. The missed free throws continue to pile up for the Govs, now 25 percent from the charity stripe. If you want a moment to describe the first half so far for the Govs, we need a picture as Horton slammed the ball with both hands after a dead ball. Not going APSU’s way so far. JSU 32, APSU 21
1st 7:46 APSU desperately needed a shot, and got it as Cory Arentsen entered for Betran. Ed Dyson followed up with APSU’s first three-pointer, an area in which they have struggled in the last several games. JSU 24, APSU 18
1st 9:35 It’s safe to say the Govs are out of sync with no D.D. in the lineup. Zavion Williams now with four turnovers by overthrowing a lead pass to Dyson. And as I say that, Brian Williams knocks down another three to give him six so far. JSU 22, APSU 13
1st 11:22 Gamecocks aren’t fazed by the 2-3 zone as their second three-pointer drops. A dunk by Horton gave life to the Dunn Center crowd, but JSU’s Brian Williams answered with his first triple of the night at the buzzer. Darion Rackly entered the game off the bench and immediately made an impact with four quick points. JSU 17, APSU 11
1st 16:30 APSU going with a 2-3 zone on defense, but the Gamecocks come out shooting the ball well. Zavion Williams, who is starting tonight in place of an injured D.D. Smith, has two turnovers in the early stages.The senior forward Will Triggs has four of APSU’s six points in the paint. JSU 5, APSU 6
Chris Horton wins the tip for the Govs and we are underway.
Starters:
Gamecocks: Avery Moore, Undra Mitchem, Brian Williams, DJ Felder, Jamal Hunter
Governors: Travis Betran, Zavion Williams, Ed Dyson, Will Triggs, Chris Horton
Pregame:
- Austin Peay (8-11, 2-3) ranks fourth in the OVC West, while Jacksonville State (9-13, 3-4) sits at fifth in the East division.
- This is the first home game for APSU since Jan. 4. The Govs have won their last three home games in Clarksville.
- The Govs are coming off a heart-breaking defeat to Eastern Illinois 67-64 on Jan. 18, while the Gamecocks fell to Eastern Kentucky 56-50.
- APSU leads the all-time series between the two teams 17-3, with a nine-game winning streak at the Dunn Center.
- However, the Gamecocks have won the last two meetings, including last season’s 81-74 victory.
- Jacksonville State has struggled on the road with an away record of 1-10, with the one win coming on Nov. 25, while the Govs are 6-2 at home.
- Players to watch for JSU: Darion Rackley – 12.6 ppg and Brian Williams – 11.3 ppg, 3.6 apg
- Gamecocks head coach: James Green (sixth season)
