Jacksonville State Falls to UC Irvine in NIT Second Round

IRVINE, Calif. — Jacksonville State‘s men’s basketball team saw its postseason journey come to an end on Sunday night, falling 66-61 to top-seeded UC Irvine in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

The loss concludes the Gamecocks’ season with a record of 23-13, marking their fourth postseason appearance in nine years and their first since competing in the 2022 NCAA tournament. Jacksonville State reached the second round after an impressive opening round victory against No. 4-seeded Georgia Tech, where they triumphed 81-64.

In a closely contested game that saw momentum shift several times, Jacksonville State took a 55-53 lead with 6:15 remaining, thanks to a pair of free throws from Koree Cotton. Unfortunately, from that point on, the Gamecocks struggled to find their rhythm, managing only one field goal—a 3-pointer from Jaron Pierre Jr.—for the remainder of the contest.

UC Irvine, finishing strong, mounted a 13-6 run to seal the victory. The Anteaters’ standout, Justin Hohn, led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the field and 4-for-9 from three-point range. He was joined in double figures by his teammates, adding to the team’s offensive pressure.

Jaron Pierre Jr. led the Gamecocks with a double-double performance, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds in his final game of the season. He also recorded four assists, showcasing his all-around game. Fellow teammate Marcellus Brigham Jr. scored 14 points, with 11 of those coming in a strong first half. Freshman Quel’Ron House also added to the scoreboard with 10 points and five rebounds.

As for the Anteaters, who will now prepare for a matchup against UAB—victor over Santa Clara, 88-84 in their own second-round match—this victory marks a significant step forward in their quest for the NIT title. Jacksonville State, despite the setback, can take pride in the achievements of the season and the foundation laid for future success.