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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Sophomore Shelly Harper scored a career-high 23 points, but it was not enough as the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team fell at Ohio Valley Conference East rival Jacksonville State, 79-62, on Saturday afternoon at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

With the loss, EKU drops to 13-9 (7-4 OVC) on the year. JSU improves to 11-15 (7-6 OVC).

Harper scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half. She also finished with a team-high eight rebounds. Senior Marie Carpenter scored 15 points, while freshman Michaela Hunter came off the bench to contribute 12 points and four rebounds.

The Lady Colonels connected on only on three-pointer in the game (1-of-14) and were outrebounded (41-38) for only the second time in their last eight contests.

Four Gamecocks scored in double figures in the game. Briana Benson led all players with 24 points, while Candace Morton had 15 points, Miranda Cantrell finished with 13 points and Destany McLin added 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Hunter rallied EKU off the bench in the first half, at one point scoring seven consecutive points to keep the Lady Colonels within striking distance – 33-24 – at halftime.

Eastern hung around late into the second half, as a pair of free throws by Harper made it 56-48 in favor of JSU with 7:04 on the clock. However, the Gamecocks exploded on a 15-3 run over the next 4:17 to seal the win.

EKU has one day to regroup. The Lady Colonels return to action on Monday night when they face Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.