Jax State stuns the Kats

Saturday, February 21

Jacksonville, Ala.

2:30 PM

16-9,9-5CUSA

Jax State

13-14,7-8CUSA

Sam Houston

Jacksonville St.

Photo by: Allyson Collins

Jax State stuns the Kats

2/21/2026 5:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Sam Houston Bearkats suffered a heartbreaking 69–68 loss to Jax State on Saturday, snapping a four-game win streak against the Gamecocks and dropping into a tie for third place in the conference standings with MTSU.

Sam Houston (16–9, 9–5 CUSA) carried a seven-point advantage out of the first quarter, but the Gamecocks (13–14, 7–8 CUSA) responded with a strong second period to take a two-point lead into halftime. The teams traded the lead throughout the second half before Jax State delivered a last-second three-pointer to seal the win, leaving the Bearkats without enough time for a final response.

Fanta Kone led Sam Houston with 20 points and seven rebounds, marking her third 20-point performance of the season. Annika Corcoran added a career-high 18 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Nyla Inmon contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Bearkats appeared in control late, holding a five-point lead with 30 seconds remaining, but Jacksonville State knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to take the lead. With 6.6 seconds left, the Kats couldn't get the final shot to fall, resulting in an upset win for the Gamecocks.

Sam Houston forced 16 turnovers, the first time since the Rice game that the Bearkats failed to force at least 20 this season. The team recorded 14 steals, with Kone and Ward-Strong tallying four each.

Ward-Strong also added two blocks and pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds, nine on the defensive end. Despite finishing with 37 rebounds, the Bearkats were outrebounded 46–37 overall.

UP NEXT

Sam Houston returns to the road Tuesday to face Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with the game streaming on ESPN+.