In a closely contested matchup at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, Sam Houston State edged Jacksonville State 82-78, a margin of four points. The Gamecocks from Jacksonville State trailed by 10 points at halftime, but they managed to outscore the Bearkats 52-46 in the second half. Despite their valiant effort, Jacksonville State ultimately fell short to the higher-ranked Bearkats, who are now ranked #103 in the NET rankings.
The narrow margin of victory for Sam Houston State belies the significant disparity in the teams' NET rankings, with the Bearkats holding a 77-spot advantage over the Gamecocks. The Bearkats' superior NET ranking may have contributed to their home-court advantage, but Jacksonville State's strong second-half performance suggests that the Gamecocks are a force to be reckoned with in the conference.
Sam Houston's offense was fueled by Po'Boigh King, who led the team in scoring with 14 points. King's efficiency was notable, as he made 6 of 6 free throw attempts, but struggled from the field, converting just 3 of 11 shots and 2 of 7 three-point attempts. Despite this, his ability to draw fouls and get to the line proved crucial, as he was able to capitalize on his opportunities.
Jacob Walker and Jacobe Coleman also made significant contributions to the Sam Houston offense. Walker added 10 points, including 4 of 10 shots from the field, while Coleman chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds, shooting a perfect 4 of 4 from the field and 1 of 1 from three-point range. Coleman's all-around play was particularly impressive, as he also dished out 3 assists.
While Mostapha El Moutaouakkil's 27 points were a bright spot for Jacksonville State, his shooting efficiency from beyond the arc was a concern, converting on just one of his 11 three-point attempts. His overall performance, however, was a testament to his scoring ability, as he shot 61.1% from the field and 71.4% from the free-throw line.
Jamar Franklin's performance was a mixed bag, as his 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field were overshadowed by his lack of production in other areas. His 3-of-3 three-point shooting was impressive, but it was not enough to offset his limited rebounding and assists. Emondrek Erkins-Ford struggled to find his rhythm, converting on just 3 of his 9 field goal attempts, and was held without an assist.
AC Bryant's performance fell significantly short of his season averages, underscoring a stark deviation from his usual production. Bryant's meager 5-point outing was a far cry from his 12.7 points per game average, a drop of 7.7 points. His rebounding numbers also took a hit, as he managed just 4 boards compared to his season average of 4.2. While his assist total remained consistent with his average, the dip in scoring and rebounding raises questions about the impact of Bryant's absence on Jacksonville State's offense.
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Final
Despite a margin of victory that fell short of the predicted 8.2 points, the actual outcome of the game was ultimately in line with pre-game expectations. The Sam Houston State team's performance, however, was a bit more uneven than anticipated, particularly in terms of shooting efficiency. While their three-point shooting was significantly off from their season average, they managed to compensate with a strong showing from the field, converting at a rate that was nearly identical to their season average.
A closer examination of the box score reveals that Sam Houston's ability to control the glass was a key factor in their narrow victory. The team's rebounding rate, although down slightly from their season average, was still nearly a full 9 percentage points higher than that of Jacksonville State. This disparity gave the Bearkats a significant advantage in terms of second-chance opportunities, allowing them to maintain a small but crucial lead throughout the game. Additionally, the difference in eFG% between the two teams was relatively small, suggesting that both teams were efficient in their respective offenses, but it was Sam Houston's ability to secure rebounds that ultimately decided the outcome.
For Sam Houston, this victory, albeit against a Quad 4 opponent, should provide a slight boost to their NET ranking, potentially inching them closer to a lower seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, with only one Quad 1 and two Quad 2 wins, they still face significant challenges in improving their seeding, likely landing them in the 11-12 range come Selection Sunday. For Jacksonville State, this loss, against a Quad 2 opponent, stings, as it now puts them at risk of being left out of the tournament altogether, given their current NET ranking and lack of Quad 1 victories. Their chances of securing a bid appear increasingly slim, with a possible First Four appearance their most realistic hope.