ROCK HILL, S.C. | Dorian McMillian scored a career-high 28 points, and freshman Blake Nettles added a career-best 13 to propel Jackson State to a 76-72 road victory over Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at Winthrop Coliseum.
McMillian bounced back from a scoreless first half from the field to erupt for 24 points in the second period. He finished 7-of-19 from the floor, knocked down three 3-pointers, and went 11-of-12 at the free-throw line while grabbing five rebounds. Meanwhile, Nettles stuffed the stat sheet off the bench in 30 minutes of action. Along with his career-high 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, Nettles dished out a career-high seven assists, collected a career-high five steals, and pulled down five rebounds.
Mike Williams also finished in double figures for the Tigers (2-3) with 11 points and four steals.
After trailing 28-27 at halftime after shooting just 25 (7-of-28) percent from the field, the Tigers caught fire after the break. Jackson State shot 55.6 (15-of-27) in the second half and outscored the Eagles 49-44.
With the score tied at 46 midway through the second half, Tamarion Hoover buried a 3-pointer off a Nettles feed to give Jackson State the lead for good with 11:07 remaining. The Tigers steadily built their advantage to a game-high nine points, 59-50, when Delyle Williams connected from deep with 8:30 to play. Winthrop (0-4) refused to go away quietly, parading to the foul line for 33 second-half free throw attempts and pulling within 64-62 with 4:37 left.
Jayden Williams answered with a crucial tip-in and converted the three-point play to push the margin back to six. In the final minute, Seifeldin Hendawy scored five quick points to trim Jackson State's lead to 74-71 with 28 seconds on the clock, but McMillian iced the game by sinking two free throws with 24 seconds remaining.
Hendawy led Winthrop with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while George Natsvlishvili added 19 points and Spence Sims scored 15. Jackson State's defensive pressure proved to be the difference against Winthrop's 51-30 rebounding edge. The Tigers forced 19 turnovers, swiped 16 steals - including 14 in the first half alone - and outscored the Eagles 21-16 in fast-break points and 30-7 in bench scoring.
Up Next
Jackson State travels to Waco (Texas) on Wednesday for an 11 a.m. tip against Baylor.
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