Jax State men: Gamecocks fall in overtime despite best game of Hill's young career
The best game of Jacoby Hill's young career was spoiled by poor free-throw shooting as Jacksonville State lost in overtime to New Mexico State 77-75 in Las Cruces, N.M., Thursday night.
Hill recorded his first career double-double, finishing with 24 points and 15 rebounds — both career highs — but he struggled at the foul line, making just 5 of 11 attempts.
The Gamecocks went 11-for-20 from the charity stripe in the second half, allowing the Aggies to rally from a 14-point deficit to force overtime.
"We just missed entirely too many free throws in the second half," Jax State head coach Ray Harper said. "I've said it all along, when we don't make free throws, we lose games, and we missed some big ones."
Hill's second-chance layup with 44 seconds to play in overtime gave Jax State a 73-72 lead, but New Mexico State's Jemel Jones answered with a 3-pointer 20 seconds later.
Jones, who finished with a game-high 29 points, sank two free throws with nine seconds remaining to push the Aggies' lead to 77-73.
Hill was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot with three seconds left on the clock. He made his first two attempts from the line before intentionally missing the third, but the buzzer sounded before either team could corral the rebound.
Conference USA's leading scorer, Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, finished with 23 points and seven rebounds but struggled with his shot, making just 5 of 18 attempts from the field.
Emondrek Erkins-Ford also scored in double figures for Jax State, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Iaroslav Nigau scored seven points, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked two shots. Jamar Franklin finished with five points and led the Gamecocks with two steals. Jaye Nash scored two points, grabbed six boards and dished out a team-high three assists.
Jax State (14-16, 9-10 CUSA) has now lost six of its last seven games to fall into sole possession of seventh place in the league standings. The Gamecocks will travel to El Paso, Texas, where they will close the regular season against UTEP on Saturday at 2 p.m.
