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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. –  Jacksonville State dominated play on the glass pulling down 18 offensive rebounds as the Gamecocks (8-14, 3-6 OVC) beat visiting Eastern Illinois, 63-45, on Thursday night at Pete Mathews Coliseum.  EIU dropped to 9-10, 2-5 in the OVC.

Brian Williams hit three 3-pointers in the final two minutes to help Jacksonville State build a double digit lead heading into the half at 32-22.

EIU opened the game on a 7-2 run with a pair of buckets by L.C. Doss.  Alfonzo McKinnie drew his second foul and JSU dominated play on the glass after his exit holding a 23-12 rebound margin in the first half including 11 offensive rebounds.

JSU had two big runs with Darion Rackley capping a 9-0 run at 14:43 to put JSU up 11-7.  Back-to-back baskets by Nick Cook capped a 12-0 Gamecocks run as JSU lead 23-13 with 5:21 left in the half.

McKinnie returned to the line-up with two fouls and helped pull EIU to within four points at 26-22 as he sank a pair of free throws with 56 seconds left.  Williams then sank two 3-pointers in the final 45 seconds to give JSU the double figure halftime lead. 

EIU was able to cut the lead down to six points as Zavier Sanders and Doss scored in the opening minute of the second half.  JSU then turned back to its dominance on the glass as they pushed the lead back double figures.

The Panthers were limited to 26 percent shooting in the second half as JSU led by 15 points with 7:24 left on a Williams jumper.  A pair of free throws by Cook extended the lead to 20 before Cook's put-back put the lead at 22 with 3:35 left to play.

Williams led all scorers with 18 points.  Four JSU players finished in double figure scoring.  JSU finished with a 42-28 rebound advantage. 

McKinnie led EIU in scoring with 14 points and 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double.  The Panthers play at No. 9 Murray State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.  The game will be televised on ESPN3.