CONWAY, S.C.| After a sluggish start to the game, the Jackson State women's basketball team battled its way back into the matchup to overcome Gardner-Webb, 76-55.
Three Tigers scored in double figures, led by Leianaya Massenat who finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Mikayla Brown recorded 13 points and eight rebounds, and Rhema Pegues registered 13 points and six rebounds on the day. Jaileyah Cotton tacked on another eight rebounds. 
How It Happened

• Jackson State () fought off an 11-2 deficit to take a 12-11 advantage with 1:09 left in the first quarter.
• The Tigers 10-0 run was capped off by a three-point jumper from Derrica McCall.
• Rhema Pegues sunk one from deep followed by another from Leianya Massenat to open the second quarter and build on the Tigers' lead. 
• McCall got in on the deep three action scoring at the 7:15 mark to help JSU increase its lead.
• Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua scored back-to-back layups to give Jackson State the 35-19 advantage.
• Pegues' jumper inside the arc off a Gardner-Webb turnover boosted the Tigers to a 37-24 lead going into the half.
• A collective effort guided JSU to a 40-20 lead before the media timeout, and the Tigers pressed on to 22-point lead at the end of the third quarter. 
• The Tigers opened the fourth quarter going on an 8-0 run, capped with a fastbreak layup from Massenat.
• JSU's defense came away with two rebounds and a turnover before Gardner-Webb was forced to call a timeout.
• After the short break, Tcheuhchoua put two more on the board for JSU and Skyler Christmas banked four free throws to give JSU a 69-40 advantage.
• Despite Gardner-Webb's last-minute attempts, Jackson State held on for the 76-55 win.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson State shot 27-for-54 (50 percent) from the field and 76.5 (13-for-17) from the free throw line.
• The Tigers finished with 34 points in the paint, 25 bench points, 243e points off 15 Gardner-Webb turnovers, 11 fast break points, and 11 second chance points.
• Gardner-Webb shot 20-for-56 (35.7) from the field and 60.0 (9-for-15) percent from the free throw line.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs finished with 26 points in the paint, 21 bench points, 16 points off 20 JSU turnovers, 13 second chance points, and four fastbreak points.

Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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