TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Jacksonville State 79, Martin Methodist 64
JACKSONVILLE STATE 79, MARTIN METHODIST 64
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Sophomore Darion Rackley and senior Ronnie Boggs both set career highs in points to lead the Jacksonville State basketball team to a 79-64 victory over Martin Methodist in front of 3,213 people for “Kids Night” Tuesday night at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
With the win, the Gamecocks become the first team in the school's 18-year Division I history to start a season 7-2. Rackley led the way with 27 points on the night while Boggs added 20 points, marking the first time since 1999 that two Gamecocks scored over 20 points in the same game.
The Gamecocks went beyond the 3-point line to get a big chunk of their points. Averaging just 3.3 3-pointers per game and having made just 26 through their first eight games, they connected on 13 of their 28 attempts from behind the arc and held the Redhawks (6-6) to a .231 3-point percentage. They are the eighth opponent in nine games to shoot below 30 percent from outside, leading JSU to one of the top 20 teams in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage defense.
Martin Methodist (6-6) found themselves leading the game 10-8 with 14:12 left in the first half before senior Tarvin Gaines hit a three-point shot to spark a 16-1 run that gave the Gamecocks a 24-11 lead. Gaines would also add a three-point shot at the buzzer to give JSU a 44-28 halftime lead. The Gamecocks connected on 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) shots from behind the arc in the half while shooting 57.1 percent overall from the field.
Boggs and Rackley opened the second half by scoring the Gamecocks first 12 points to extend the lead to 56-32. Senior Brian Williams would add a three-point field goal to give the Gamecocks a 28 point lead with 13:13 left in the game.
The Redhawks would fight back, using a 14-3 run to cut the Gamecocks lead to 15 at 62-47 with 9:09 in the game. Rackley then ended the Gamecocks' scoring struggles by drawing a foul on a fast break layup and knocking down the free throw.
Gaines added 12 points and six rebounds on the night while Williams added nine points and career highs with nine assists and six rebounds for the Gamecocks. Boggs also added a season-high four steals to go with five rebounds while Rackley added three assists and three steals.
Jeremy Rodgers led the Redhawks with 17 points while shooting 6-of-9 from the floor. Marlon Williams added 15 points to round out the scoring for Martin Methodist.