Bulldogs lose home opener to Gamecocks

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NORMAL - In their home opener of the 2013-14 season, the Bulldog basketball team dropped a 76-69 decision to the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State University.

The Bulldogs fall to 1-4 under third year head coach Willie Hayes, while the visiting Gamecocks improved to 2-5 on the season.

The first half was even between the two teams, with neither being able to dominate the other during the run of play. The teams would trade baskets for 20 minutes, with the largest lead from either team being just three points.

Leading the way for the Maroon & White in the first, half was Brandon Ellis. Ellis a senior out of Loxley, Ala., was 8 of 9 from the field for 17 points. Despite a tremendous output from Ellis who led all first half scorers, the Bulldogs would take a 31-31 tie into the break.

The second half saw both teams playing with increased energy and assertion. The Bulldogs open up a quick five-point lead after scoring seven unanswered points at the 15:47 mark in the period. Their largest lead of the game thus far was short lived, as the Gamecocks would respond with a run of their own to close the gap and capture the lead at 43-42 with 13:09 left in the game after dropping eight unanswered points. JSU would score 13 unanswered points prior to the under 12 media time out and hold a 48-42 lead at the break at the 11:47 mark.

Upon returning to the floor, the Bulldogs upped their game. They forced the Gamecocks into turning the ball over and were able to cut the deficit to four. Action again would ping pong between both ends of the court with the teams trading baskets. A&M was able to cut the lead down to as little as two at 56-54 with just under six-minutes in the contest.

Despite their many efforts, the Bulldogs were unable to regain the lead from the Gamecocks before the games end. JSU was able to hold off the charge from the Maroon & White, and captured their second win of the season, 76-69.

Ellis, who led all first half scorers with 17, finished with a team high 20 points. This is Ellis' forth 20-point game of his career. Jeremy Crutcher finished with a game high seven assists in 34 minutes of play. Demarquelle Tabb and G.A. Hill combined for 28 points, eight assists, and five rebounds off the bench.

Bulldog Basketball will be back in action, December 3, as they travel to Nashville, Tenn. to take on the Tigers of Tennessee State University. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Music City.

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