Jacksonville St. edges SIU-Edwardsville 72-67 in OVC opener

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) Malcolm Drumwright and Greg Tucker combined to score 35 points and JaQuail Townser sank two late free throws to ice Jacksonville State's 72-67 defeat of SIU-Edwardsville in an Ohio Valley Conference opener Thursday.

Drumwright nailed a 3-pointer and Tucker made four free throws as the Gamecocks (5-11) stretched a one-point lead to 70-62 with 2:35 left, seemingly breaking away from SIU-Edwardsville. But the Cougars (3-10) came right back to cut the lead to 70-67 and had two chances to tie - 3-point shots from Carlos Anderson and Yemi Makanjuola - miss the mark inside the last minute.

Townser was fouled with three seconds remaining and converted both foul shots for the final margin.

Drumwright scored 19 points, Tucker 16, each with three 3-pointers. Jacksonville State made 11 3s in the game to SIU-Edwardsville's five.

Makanjuola scored 21 to lead SIU-Edwardsville.