Mostella, Burnell help Jacksonville State win OVC opener
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Detrick Mostella and Jason Burnell scored 19 points each and Jacksonville State held off Belmont 83-73 Thursday night to open Ohio Valley Conference play.
Jacksonville State (9-5) led for all but a minute in the early going and held off Belmont (9-3) which made it a one possession game eight times after halftime, the last when Kevin McClain sank three free throws to make the score 68-65 with under two minutes to play.
Mostella buried a 3 and then made two free throws, kicking off a 9-0 burst for the Gamecocks to seal the win. Jacksonville State finished with a 42-32 rebounding edge, 15 coming off the offensive end for 25 second-chance points.
The Bruins, who won nine of their first 10 games, now have dropped two in a row.
Dylan Windler led Belmont with 23 points with eight rebounds and McClain scored 21 with six assists.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Barry Mathis
- John St. Clair
- Mick Fieldbinder
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
| Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
| Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
| New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
| Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
| Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
| Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
| Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
| Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
| Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
| Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
| UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
| Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |
Men's College Basketball News
