Jacksonville State Stuns Kennesaw State in 19-Point Upset

Jacksonville State pulled off a stunning upset at Pete Mathews Coliseum, dominating Kennesaw State 77-58 in a conference matchup that will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. The Gamecocks, led by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil's impressive 26-point, 7-rebound performance, controlled the game from start to finish, leaving the Owls reeling.

At halftime, Jacksonville State held a commanding 37-22 lead, with El Moutaouakkil already having scored 15 points. The Gamecocks' strong defense held Kennesaw State to just 22 points in the first half, a reflection of their preparation and execution. RJ Johnson, Kennesaw State's top performer, managed just 6 points in the first half, and the Owls struggled to find any rhythm on offense.

In the second half, Jacksonville State continued to pour it on, with Jaye Nash adding 19 points and Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. chipping in 12. The Gamecocks' offense was balanced and efficient, with all five starters scoring at least 6 points. Meanwhile, Kennesaw State's offense struggled to keep pace, with Johnson finishing with 12 points and Perry Smith Jr. adding 12 of his own.

This upset win was a major departure from the pre-game prediction, which had Kennesaw State winning by 3 points. Instead, Jacksonville State dominated from start to finish, outscoring the Owls by 19 points. The win is a significant boost to the Gamecocks' resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 3 victory.

For Kennesaw State, the loss is a setback, especially given that it was also a Quadrant 3 game. The Owls had been riding a wave of momentum, but this loss will likely drop them in the conference standings. With a current net ranking of 153, Kennesaw State must regroup and refocus to stay in the tournament conversation.

Jacksonville State, on the other hand, want to build on this momentum. With a current net ranking of 211, the Gamecocks still have work to do to become a serious tournament contender. However, this win will certainly help their cause, and they want to continue their strong play in the coming weeks.