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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Jacksonville State used a 13-2 run midway through the opening half as the Gamecocks held Eastern Illinois to 33 percent shooting during a 61-46 victory over the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.

JSU took care of the basketball committing only five turnovers in the contest improving to 5-13 on the year, 1-4 in the OVC.  EIU fell to 7-8, 2-2 in the OVC as the Panthers return to action on Monday night with a 7 p.m. game at Tennessee Tech.

Briana Benson sparked the Gamecocks first half run with a lay-up and free throw at 10:52 and 3-pointer at 8:22.  Candace Morton added a 3-pointer at 7:42 to put JSU up 24-10.  EIU trailed 33-16 after LaCresha Horton made a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds of the first half.  

Morton led JSU in scoring with 16 points while Benson added 10 points off the bench.  Destany McLin also reached double figures finishing with 12 points.

After going 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the first half, EIU made 3-of-7 from beyond the arc in the second half.  Katlyn Payne's 3-pointer with 4:12 to play cut the lead to 11 points.  Jordyne Crunk trimmed the margin to eight points with a 3-pointer with 2:11 left as EIU trailed 51-43.

JSU closed the game making six straight free throws in the final 1:22 of the game.

Sabina Oroszova led EIU on offense posting her tenth double-double of the season and sixth straight.  Oroszova had 16 points and 13 rebounds.  EIU won the battle on the glass holding a 41-34 rebound margin.