DES MOINES, IOWA - Jackson State got a career-night 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 blocks from senior
Jayveous McKinnis who was just shy of a triple-double, but the Tigers fell just short in a loss to Drake before 2,660 fans at the Knapp Center on Thursday night. McKinnis recorded his seventh double-double on the season and 30th of his career.
"I thought our guys gave everything they had," said head coach Wayne Brent. "We have been on the road for six or seven days and the guys showed a lot of toughness against a team that was 22-2 last year and won a game in the NCAA tournament."
This was the first overtime game for the Tigers this season.
JSU and Drake traded baskets throughout the first half going into intermission all tied, 27-27.
After a made free throw from Jonas James III, a three-pointer by Coltie Young, and a made jumper and free throw from Darius Hicks, the Tigers had an early lead 34-32, in the first three minutes of the second half. Drake held the Tigers scoreless for the next 4:59 as they went on an 11-0 run to put JSU at a 43-34 disadvantage.
Down 47-40 with 8:15 left in the game, the Tigers went on a 6-0 run with McKinnis scoring five points, four of them from in the paint.
The Tigers regained the lead, 53-52, with a huge three-pointer from Coltie Young who was big for the Tigers tonight after receiving his first start of the season.
After the final media timeout,
Gabe Watson drilled a three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give JSU another late lead, 56-54, with 2:01 left to play in regulation.
On the final possession of regulation for the Tigers, Gabe Watson missed a great look at a three-pointer after making an incredible move to lose the defender. Drake pulled down the defensive rebound and called a quick timeout to attempt to draw up a play to win the game. The Tiger defense stood tall as Darrian Wilson stole a pass at the top of the key and found Terence Lewis II as he attempted to win the game with a half court shot that hit the front of the rim to end regulation.
In the extra period, the Tigers were able to tie the contest up twice but was only able to take the lead once as Drake would jump out to a 68-65 lead with 17 seconds remaining. JSU could not convert any points on their final offensive possession and Drake hit two free throws from the line to secure the victory, 70-65.
Gabe Watson was terrific off the bench for the Tigers once again logging 32 minutes and recorded 17 points.
NOTABLES
- Jackson State was 25-63 (40 percent) shooting from the field and (10-17) from the charity stripe
- Drake shot 38 percent (26-68) from the field and 74 percent (14-19) from the free-throw line
- The Tigers registered 34 rebounds, including 24 on the defensive glass and 10 on the offensive glass
- The Bulldogs pulled down 47 rebounds, with 28 coming on the defensive end and 19 on the offensive end
- JSU finished with 32 points in the paint, 27 bench points, no fast-break points, and 16 second-chance points
- Drake registered 20 bench points, 38 points in the paint, six fast-break points, and 17 second-chance points
UP NEXT
Jackson State returns to action on Tuesday as they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin at 2 p.m. CST inside the William R. Johnson Colisuem. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+
SOCIAL MEDIA
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