MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team suffered its first home defeat in 309 days, falling to Jacksonville State, 77-73, in USA's final match of the Goldie and Herman Ungar Memorial Tournament Sunday at the Mitchell Center.

The Jags had three players reach double figures with Michael Flowers leading the way with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. John Pettway and Kayo Goncalves each contributed with 17.

Jacksonville State was led by Demaree King with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Darian Adams dropped 17 more for JSU and while no other player reached double figures, seven more Gamecocks registered points on the scoreboard.

GAME FACTS
- Jacksonville State took an early advantage after hitting the first two baskets of the game for threes. The Gamecocks carried a 10-5 lead into the first media break.
- Goncalves was the First Jaguar into double figures, 11, after a three at the 10:05 mark put USA into the lead 17-16.
- With a three at the buzzer, the Gamecocks took a 10-point advantage into the locker room at the half, 39-29.
- King hit back-to-back threes in 43 seconds to give JSU it's largest lead, 65-49, with 9:49 remaining in regulation. Following the basket, Tyreke Locure guarded King in man-to-man holding the Gamecock scoreless for the remainder of the contest.
- USA responded with a 7-0 run in the next 83 seconds capped by a dunk from Jamal West to cut the deficit to nine, 65-56.
- The Jags chipped the lead down to seven, 67-60, after a jumper from Flowers with 4:55 left.
- Flowers cut the score to two, 75-73, after connecting on his third three of the game with one minute 34 seconds left, but Jacksonville State would make two more free throws and hang on for the four-point victory.

NOTES
- The loss snapped a 10-game win streak extending back to the end of last season.
- After scoring 20 points against Mobile, Pettway made his first start this season, scoring 17 points with a pair of rebounds.
- The redshirt senior also lead the Jaguars in steals, a feat he accomplished five times solo last season.
- Flowers 19 points all came in the second half, and in addition, the Southfield, Mich., native led the team with six of the 11 Jaguar assists.
- Locure and Flowers each collected six rebounds which led the team. The mark is the second time in Locure's career that he has led the team in rebounds.
- South was out rebounded 42-25 and outscored in the paint 38-24.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richie Riley
- Opening Statement: "I think it's obvious we did not play anywhere near well enough to win the game or to deserve to win the game. We came out and kind of dipped our toe in the water instead of jumping into the pool. We went to feel out if it was going to be a friendly game or was it going to be tough. Then all of a sudden, we realized it was tough and we got hit in the mouth. It's hard because we knew it was going to be a battle; they are well-coached team with great size and we knew that coming in. We weren't ready to raise it to a level where you got to get to win those games and we dug a hole. We made some adjustments and fought back, guys started playing harder and we had a couple chances at the end."
- On the youth and experience: "I think a lot of it is on experience. There were no scrimmages or exhibitions. Jamal West is trying to figure out what it's like to be a division one basketball player, and he is going to be really good player, it's just his third game. [Kayo] Goncalves is trying to figure out what it's like to play here. He's been a successful division two player. David Walker is trying to figure it out with no practice time and that is tough. [Michael] Flowers is still figuring out what goes into winning at a high level, consistent winning and he will because he is that good of a player. In game three, it's a little hard for all of players."

Up next: South Alabama will play Emmanuel (Ga.) Tuesday in the Mitchell Center with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

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