The Skyhawk women lost a disappointing conference game at Jacksonville State Saturday, 84-55.

The Skyhawks struggled from the beginning. There was evidence that they would have a long night as the shot 39 percent from the field despite the fact that most of their shots came from 10-foot jumpers and lay-ups.

Things started out with the Skyhawks keeping pace with the Gamecocks, actually having a 6-5 lead at around three minutes into the game. But three consecutive 3-pointers by JSU allowed the ’Cocks to pull ahead.

Jacksonville State held a commanding 30-17 lead over UTM at the 8:37 mark in the first half and never let go.
The closest that the Skyhawks would be able to come to JSU would be six off a 3-pointer by junior Kimberly Cox with 3:43 left before the break.

The UTM women headed to the locker room down by 13 again. Junior Deina Willingham paced the Skyhawks with 12 of her team high 14 points coming in the first half.

The only stat that the Skyhawks led in the first half was second-chance points, with nine to the Gamecocks four. Things didn’t fair much better for the Skyhawks in the last half as JSU lit up the scoreboard.

With just over five minutes ticked off the clock, the Gamecocks had increased their lead to 23 over the Skyhawks. Despite shooting 60 percent from beyond the arc on the game, the Skyhawks weren’t able to make any attempt at a comeback.

The Gamecocks pulled down five three-pointers in the second half to help them keep out in front. With 3:42 left, JSU had their biggest lead of the game, 82-47, over UTM.

The Skyhawks scored seven points over the last minutes of the half, but the damage was done and JSU picked up the victory, 84-55. Kimberly Cox was the only other Skyhawk in double digits with 10 points.

Despite failing to score double digits for the first time all season, junior Andreika Jackson dominated the boards and grabbed a season high 15 rebounds.

Behind Jackson in rebounds was sophomore Crystal Fuller with seven. Overall, the Skyhawks out-rebounded JSU, 40-31. The Gamecocks had five players finish in double digits in points, including four starters. Rebecca Haynes and Ashley Boykin led Jacksonville State 21 points and 18 points, respectively.

From the field, the Skyhawks managed to shoot just over 35 percent to the Gamecocks’ 51.

With the loss the Skyhawk women fell to 3-8 in Ohio Valley Conference play and 5-13 overall. Jacksonville State improved to 4-8 in the conference standings and 6-13 overall.

The Skyhawks come home this week and will face Tennessee Tech on Thursday night. Tip-off time is set for 5:30 p.m. They will then travel to face the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State on Saturday at 5:30 in Cape Girardeau.

—The Pacer sports staff contributed to this article.