Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky cut a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to two, but couldn't complete the comeback in a 69-64 loss at Jacksonville State on Saturday.
 
After a jumper by McKenna Lawrence put the Gamecocks in front 52-38 with 9:15 left in the game, the Colonels rolled off 10 unanswered to get within four.  Abby Wright had seven of the 10 on her way to 22 points for the game, tying her season-best.
 
With JSU up six, 62-56, and 2:41 showing on the clock, Wright knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit in half.  Paige Murphy made 1-of-2 free throw attempts with 1:53 left to get the visitors within two, 62-60.
 
Eastern was down three, 65-62, with 27 seconds remaining after a lay-up by Murphy.  Rayven Pearson missed two free throws at the other end to give the Colonels a chance to tie the game with 20 ticks to go.  However, a turnover ended any chance for EKU.  It was Eastern Kentucky's 23rd turnover of the game.  Jax State hit on all four free throw attempts in the final 14 seconds to secure the win.
 
Wright finished 9-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc.  She also had five rebounds and two steals.  Murphy had a career-best 13 points.  Bria Bass contributed a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
Pearson led the Gamecocks (14-13, 8-8 OVC) with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
 
EKU got off to a strong start, taking a 10-1 lead as four different players scored for the Colonels (2-25, 0-16) in the first four minutes of the game.  Eastern was in front 15-5 after a three-pointer by Wright with 2:36 left in the first quarter.
 
The Gamecocks staged a second quarter comeback.  JSU scored the first seven points of second quarter to get within 15-14.  Jacksonville State tied the game, 19-19, for the first time when Lawrence hit a three-pointer with 1:50 left in the second.  JSU took its first lead, 21-19, on a jumper by Brianna Perry with 51 seconds left in second.  The Colonels failed to score in the final 4:03 of the second quarter.
 
EKU scored the first four points of the second half to go back in front, 23-21.  Eastern was in front 30-29 after another Wright three-pointer, but Jacksonville State scored the next 10 points to build a nine-point cushion.
 
Eastern will face Austin Peay at home on Thursday.  Tip-off in McBrayer Arena is set for 5 p.m.