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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The CUSA Championship saw its first double overtime game since 2021 as No. 7 Jax State (16-15) defeats No. 10 UTEP (13-17) 82-77 Tuesday afternoon at Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center.
 
After trailing by 10 in the third quarter, the Gamecocks shot 46.9 percent from the field in the fourth quarter to get back in the game. In the first overtime, Brooklyn McDaniel sank a free throw that would tie the game again at 67-67 to send the game into double overtime. McDaniel recorded a double-double in the contest with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Mya Barnes was a huge contributor for Jax State, scoring nine of her 17 points in overtime.
 
Jax State will face off against No. 2 FIU at 2:00 p.m. CT Wednesday on ESPN+.

Jax State Head Coach Rick Pietri
Opening Statement…
“It really was an incredible game. Just so many swings in that game. I’m sure [UTEP] thought they had it in regulation. I thought we had it in the first overtime. I have so much respect for our players and the way that they were able to find a way. We had six different kids in double figures. Talk about a team effort. It wasn’t one person that carried us today. It was truly a team effort. I’m so proud of them and so happy the kids got a win in this environment and this setting and that we get a chance to play again tomorrow.”

Jax State Head Coach Rick Pietri
On playing with a limited roster…
“We dressed eight today. It’s the fewest I’ve dressed at the end of the season since 2016, and that season didn’t go so well because we were so thin. This group has literally shown the world how to get it done with such a small group of people. I’m someone who’s used to having a big roster and playing a lot of people. It’s been an interesting experience just managing a thin roster. It got thinner yesterday and we just keep on going and keep on playing as long as we can. 

UTEP Head Coach Keitha Adams
Opening Statement…
“First off, what a great game today. I’m proud of our team. Tough loss. You go double overtime. Boy, that’s a barn burner. That’s a heck of a game. I just told our team I’m really proud because they left it all out on the floor. They left everything on the floor. There wasn’t anything left in the gas tank. We played Jax State three times and all three times we’ve played them have been dogfights. They’ve been a battle. Portia had a phenomenal day today scoring 27. Her getting that last foul and fouling out really hurt us, but our kids kept battling and we ended up going to double overtime. I can’t say enough about how proud of them I am of our team and how they played today. I’m just disappointed that we didn’t get the win. When you look at the stats, we had three players foul out. That hurt us. They shot five more free throws than we did. On second-chance points, they had 14 to our eight. You’re looking at what was the difference that teetered their way. The foul situation really hurt us, and we needed to get a few more putbacks. They got more than we did on that. What a phenomenal game. You tip your hat to Jax State and both teams. It was just a great game and they played really hard. I’m proud of all of our kids and just disappointed that we’re not playing tomorrow.”