WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Jacksonville State held off Florida International 70-67 in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Thursday night at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Gamecocks built an early lead with sharp three-point shooting, connecting on 12 of 26 attempts. The Golden Panthers rallied, using a 22-point second quarter to close the gap and capitalize on 21 points off turnovers. Jacksonville State’s defense tightened in the third quarter, limiting Florida International to 12 points to regain control. Denika Lightbourne led all scorers with 25 points for Florida International. Brooklyn McDaniel scored 16 points for Jacksonville State, which improved to 8-7. Florida International fell to 7-6.

WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Jacksonville State women’s basketball team secured a narrow 70-67 victory over Florida International in a Conference USA matchup on Thursday night at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The contest, played before an intimate crowd of 127, saw the visiting Gamecocks improve to 8-7 overall, while the Golden Panthers fell to 7-6. The outcome defied the pregame analytics, as national statistical projections heavily favored Florida International. Jacksonville State established its presence early, leveraging sharp three-point shooting to build a lead. The Gamecocks connected on 12 of 26 attempts from beyond the arc, a 46.2 percent clip that proved decisive against a Florida International squad that managed just 5 of 18 from deep. This perimeter advantage helped Jacksonville State weather a second-quarter surge from the Golden Panthers, who erased an early deficit to take a 38-39 lead into halftime. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the third quarter. After a high-scoring first half, Jacksonville State’s defense tightened considerably, holding Florida International to just 12 points in the period. The Golden Panthers’ offensive struggles were compounded by inefficiency, as they finished the game scoring 67 points on 75 possessions for an offensive rating of 89.8. Conversely, Jacksonville State, while committing 18 turnovers, scored its 70 points on just 70 possessions for a 99.9 offensive rating. Despite being outscored 38-22 in the paint and surrendering 21 points off their own turnovers, the Gamecocks maintained their composure. Key performances from their backcourt provided the necessary stability. Brooklyn McDaniel led Jacksonville State with 16 points, while Adriana Jones added 14 and Mya Barnes contributed 11. Makala Hobdy, despite committing several turnovers, filled the stat sheet with 10 points and two crucial blocks. Florida International was carried by the explosive scoring of guard Denika Lightbourne, who poured in a game-high 25 points in just 15 minutes off the bench. Her efficiency was remarkable, but her limited playing time due to foul trouble and rotation patterns was a factor. Forward Rhema Collins provided a steadying presence with 15 points and a game-high 38 minutes. The fourth quarter became a tense back-and-forth affair. Every time Jacksonville State threatened to pull away, Florida International answered, often through Lightbourne’s dynamic play. The Golden Panthers had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final minute, but a series of missed three-point attempts and a critical turnover with 27 seconds left hampered their comeback bid. The final sequence sealed the Gamecock victory. With three seconds remaining and Jacksonville State leading 68-67, Makala Hobdy was fouled and sent to the line. She sank both free throws to extend the lead to three. Florida International’s desperation heave from beyond half-court was off target as time expired. The game was a testament to Jacksonville State’s ability to win on the road through timely shooting and defensive stands, overcoming a significant disadvantage in interior scoring and points off turnovers. For Florida International, the loss highlighted a night where offensive execution down the stretch and from the perimeter fell short, despite a heroic individual effort from Lightbourne. Both teams return to Conference USA action on Saturday. Jacksonville State travels to face Missouri State, while Florida International remains at home to host Kennesaw State.

Preview: Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Florida International Golden Panthers WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Conference USA women’s basketball play continues Thursday as the Florida International Golden Panthers host the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 7-7 overall records, seeking momentum in league play. The Golden Panthers (7-5) hold a slight edge in recent form, having won three of their last five, while the Gamecocks (7-7) have split their last six contests. The game features a compelling duel between two of the conference’s top scorers. Florida International is led by dynamic guard Parris Atkins, who is coming off a career-high 35-point performance in a loss to Missouri State on Jan. 4. Atkins averaged 21.2 points over her last five games, providing the primary offensive spark for the Golden Panthers. Jacksonville State will counter with forward Brooklyn McDaniel, a consistent force in the paint. McDaniel is averaging 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over her last five outings, including a 14-point, 8-rebound effort in the Gamecocks’ most recent game, a 69-52 loss to Middle Tennessee. Florida International’s offense has shown high-octane potential, scoring 80 or more points in four games this season, including a 122-point outburst against Fla. National on Dec. 30. Jacksonville State has relied more on its defense, holding opponents under 50 points three times this season. The Golden Panthers will look to protect their home court, where they are 5-2 this season. The Gamecocks are 3-4 in true road games. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs this season, with a rematch set for Feb. 26 in Jacksonville, Alabama. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.