NCAAB · Final

Eastern Kentucky Tops Jacksonville State in Close Contest

Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Pete Mathews Coliseum

Eastern Kentucky Colonels 62, Jacksonville State Gamecocks 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks?

Eastern Kentucky Colonels beat Jacksonville State Gamecocks 62-59 at Pete Mathews Coliseum on December 17, 2025.

Who was favored in Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks?

Jacksonville State Gamecocks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels edged out the Jacksonville State Gamecocks with a final score of 62-59. This game, played at the Pete Mathews Coliseum, showcased the competitive spirit of both teams as they battled for crucial points in the NCAAB season.

Both teams entered the game with similar records, with Jacksonville State holding a 4-6 record at home and Eastern Kentucky at 4-8 overall. Jacksonville State's recent form showed a record of 4-6 over their last ten games, but they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to Georgia State by a score of 73-77. Their scoring average was 74.8 points per game while allowing 63.8 points, indicating a solid defensive effort despite their recent struggles. In contrast, Eastern Kentucky had a record of 2-8 in their last ten games, also on a one-game losing streak after losing to Miami (OH) with a score of 69-79. The Colonels averaged 78.7 points per game but allowed a higher average of 82.6 points, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that could be exploited by their opponents.

At home, Jacksonville State had a record of 4-3, while Eastern Kentucky struggled with a 1-4 record on the road. This home advantage was expected to play a role in the game, but the Colonels managed to overcome it with a strong performance. The last five games for Jacksonville State saw them averaging only 62.2 points, which is significantly lower than their season average, while Eastern Kentucky averaged 82.8 points in their last five, suggesting a potential offensive edge for the Colonels.

In their previous meeting earlier in the season, Eastern Kentucky had triumphed over Jacksonville State with a score of 91-80, giving them a 1-0 record in head-to-head matchups for the 2025 season. This history may have provided the Colonels with confidence heading into this game.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but any absence of key players could have had implications for both teams' performances. The market had priced Jacksonville State as the favorites, with odds from DraftKings showing a spread of -2.5 in their favor, a total set at 142.5, and moneyline odds of -135. Eastern Kentucky, on the other hand, had a moneyline of 114.0, reflecting their underdog status.

The conditions in the arena were typical for a mid-season college basketball game, and fans were treated to a competitive atmosphere. As the game progressed, key moments included several scoring plays that shifted momentum. Juan Cranford Jr. made a pivotal 5-foot hook shot that put Eastern Kentucky ahead 59-53, followed by Marcus Fitzgerald Jr.’s 10-foot pullup jump shot, extending the lead to 59-55. Free throws from Cranford and Turner Buttry solidified the Colonels' position, as they maintained their lead down the stretch.

For viewers, the game highlighted the importance of free-throw shooting and defensive stops, as both teams fought hard for every point. The final moments were tense, with Jacksonville State attempting to close the gap but ultimately falling short. The Colonels' ability to execute under pressure was a key takeaway from this matchup, showcasing their resilience and determination in a challenging environment.

Overall, this game was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance and areas for improvement as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	JXST -2.5	142.5 o -105 / u -115	Eastern Kentucky Colonels +114 · Jacksonville State Gamecocks -135

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsMostapha El Moutaouakkil16Jacksonville State Gamecocks
AssistsIaroslav Niagu4Jacksonville State Gamecocks
ReboundsMostapha El Moutaouakkil7Jacksonville State Gamecocks
PointsTurner Buttry19Eastern Kentucky Colonels
AssistsTurner Buttry3Eastern Kentucky Colonels
ReboundsMontavious Myrick13Eastern Kentucky Colonels

Recent form

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Last 10: 4-6Streak L174.8 scored · 63.8 allowed per game4-3 at home

L73-77at Georgia State PanthersDec 13
W66-39vs Auburn Montgomery SenatorsDec 7
L66-73vs North Alabama LionsDec 2
L43-56vs North Dakota State BisonNov 26
L63-74at Arkansas State Red WolvesNov 25
L65-71vs South Alabama JaguarsNov 20
W74-67vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 15
W114-39vs Reinhardt EaglesNov 10
W117-63vs Oakwood AmbassadorsNov 4
L67-79at Liberty FlamesMar 16

Eastern Kentucky Colonels

Last 10: 2-8Streak L178.7 scored · 82.6 allowed per game1-4 away

L69-79vs Miami (OH) RedHawksDec 13
W68-59at Eastern Illinois PanthersDec 11
W122-67vs IU East IU EASTDec 6
L78-89at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 4
L77-83vs Wofford TerriersNov 29
L71-82at Northern Kentucky NorseNov 25
L83-95vs Mercer BearsNov 22
L78-93at Kent State Golden FlashesNov 19
L62-92at Vanderbilt CommodoresNov 13
L79-87vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersNov 11

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Utah Valley	25-9	-	14-4
California Baptist	25-9	1	13-5
Utah Tech	19-15	2	11-7
UT Arlington	18-14	5	9-9
Southern Utah	10-22	7	6-12
Tarleton State	14-18	9	5-13
Abilene Christian	14-19	9	5-13
Liberty	26-8	-	17-3
Sam Houston	22-12	4	13-7
Louisiana Tech	20-14	6	11-9
Western Kentucky	18-14	6	11-9
Middle Tennessee	17-15	6	11-9
Kennesaw State	21-14	7	10-10
Jacksonville State	15-17	7	10-10
New Mexico State	16-16	9	8-12
Missouri State	16-18	9	8-12
Florida International	15-17	9	8-12
UTEP	11-20	8	7-13
Delaware	10-21	11	6-14

Box score

Stat	Eastern Kentucky Colonels	Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Field goals	21-56	18-51
Field goal %	38	35
Three-pointers	11-31	4-18
Three-point %	35	22
Free throws	9-10	19-25
Free throw %	90	76
Rebounds	38	31
Offensive rebounds	13	11
Defensive rebounds	25	20
Assists	11	9
Steals	3	5
Blocks	4	1
Turnovers	17	10
Team turnovers	4	4
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	5	17
Fast-break points	2	8
Points in the paint	16	26
Fouls	22	14
Largest lead	13	1
Lead changes	3	3
Time in front	87	3

How the scoring went

1st Half24-24Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half27-24Turner Buttry makes 26-foot three point jumper
1st Half27-25AC Bryant makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half29-25Austin Ball makes 21-foot jumper (Jayden Harris assists)
1st Half29-27Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes layup (Iaroslav Niagu assists)
1st Half32-27Turner Buttry makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot (Juan Cranford Jr. assists)
1st Half32-29Iaroslav Niagu makes 3-foot dunk (AC Bryant assists)
1st Half35-29Austin Ball makes 26-foot three pointer (Turner Buttry assists)
1st Half38-29Turner Buttry makes 25-foot three point jumper (Montavious Myrick assists)
2nd Half38-31AC Bryant makes driving layup
2nd Half40-31Austin Ball makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half40-32Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-32Montavious Myrick makes driving layup
2nd Half42-34Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes 4-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half44-34Montavious Myrick makes layup
2nd Half44-36Jaye Nash makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half45-36Turner Buttry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-36Turner Buttry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-36Jackson Holt makes 24-foot three point jumper (MJ Williams assists)
2nd Half49-38Jacoby Hill makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half49-41Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes 22-foot three point jumper (Jaye Nash assists)
2nd Half52-41Turner Buttry makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half52-42Jaye Nash makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-43Jaye Nash makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-43Austin Ball makes layup
2nd Half54-46Jacoby Hill makes 22-foot three point jumper (Iaroslav Niagu assists)
2nd Half54-48AC Bryant makes driving layup
2nd Half54-50Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes driving layup
2nd Half54-51Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half54-52Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-52Austin Ball makes 28-foot three point jumper (Turner Buttry assists)
2nd Half57-53AC Bryant makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-53Juan Cranford Jr. makes 5-foot hook shot
2nd Half59-55Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half60-55Juan Cranford Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-57Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes layup
2nd Half60-58Jacoby Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-59Jacoby Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-59Turner Buttry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-59Turner Buttry makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Jacksonville State Gamecocks, below favours Eastern Kentucky Colonels.