In a thrilling matchup during the Conference USA Tournament semifinals, Jacksonville State emerged victorious against Middle Tennessee with a narrow 70-68 win on Friday in Huntsville, Alabama. Freshman standout Quel’Ron House led the Gamecocks, delivering a clutch performance by contributing 20 points, which included two decisive free throws with only 22 seconds left on the clock. Jacksonville State’s triumph advances them to the championship game, where they are set to face Liberty on Saturday.
Quel’Ron House demonstrated prowess on the court, executing 6 of 10 shots, with a commendable 2 of 4 from three-point land, and maintaining perfection from the free-throw line by scoring all six of his attempts. Jaron Pierre Jr. also made significant contributions, adding 19 points to the team’s tally. He shot 6 of 18 overall and was 2 of 8 in three-point attempts, supplementing it by hitting 5 of 6 free throws. Additionally, Marcellus Brigham Jr. was a force to be reckoned with, not only adding 11 points to the Gamecocks’ total but also securing nine rebounds, showcasing his versatility by shooting 4 of 9, with two successful three-pointers out of four.
On the opposing side, Jlynn Counter was the leading scorer for the Blue Raiders, Middle Tennessee’s representatives, finishing with 18 points. His comprehensive performance included eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Jestin Porter and Essam Mostafa also contributed double digits, with Porter scoring 13 points and Mostafa adding 12 points to the team’s effort.
The first half of the match concluded with both teams deadlocked at 35 points each. Quel’Ron House managed nine points during this period, while Pierre Jr. stepped up significantly in the second half, adding 14 points which played a pivotal role in securing the win for Jacksonville State.
