Jackson State Uses 29 Turnovers to Beat MUW 85-70

Jackson State forced 29 turnovers and converted them into 34 points Monday, beating MUW 85-70 at the Williams Center for its first victory of the season. The Tigers improved to 1-2, while three Jackson State players scored in double figures.

Ne’vaeh Buntley led Jackson State with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, shooting 6-for-11 from the field. Joi Johnson added 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes. Taler Thornton scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers.

Jackson State rallied after trailing 14-5 in the first quarter, taking the lead with a 13-2 run. Cassidy Gladney made a 3-pointer and two free throws during the surge, and the Tigers carried a 20-18 advantage into the second quarter.

The Tigers widened the margin in the second period, outscoring MUW 23-13. With Jackson State ahead 29-26, Buntley started a 14-0 run with a layup. Johnson scored eight points in the quarter, and Jackson State led 43-31 at halftime.

MUW pulled within 48-47 with 4:51 left in the third quarter, but Jackson State responded with baskets from Laila Grant and Madison Eddings, four straight points by Justine Tchehchoua and a late Thornton 3-pointer. The Tigers led 59-49 entering the fourth, then scored the quarter’s first 10 points to build a 69-49 lead. Jackson State shot 8-for-11 in the final period.

Jackson State shot 51.7% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range, finishing with 22 assists on 31 field goals. The Tigers also held a 48-24 advantage in points in the paint, scored 33 points off the bench and outrebounded MUW 33-32. Gladney, Tchehchoua and Rhianna Battles each scored nine points. Camryn O’Neil had six assists and four steals. Madison O’Dell led MUW with 22 points.

Jackson State was scheduled to travel to Southern Miss on Thursday, with tipoff listed for 6 p.m.

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