NCAAB · Final

Jacksonville State Upsets East Tennessee State 81-75

Saturday, December 20, 2025, 4:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)

Jacksonville State Gamecocks 81, East Tennessee State Buccaneers 75, 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 Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

Jacksonville State Gamecocks beat East Tennessee State Buccaneers 81-75 at Freedom Hall (TN) on December 20, 2025.

Who was favored in Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -550 (about 85% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling matchup, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 81-75 at Freedom Hall in Tennessee. This game was notable not only for the final score but also for the implications it holds for both teams as they navigate their respective seasons. The Buccaneers entered the game with a home record of 6-0 and an overall record of 8-5, while the Gamecocks had struggled with a 5-6 record, including a 0-2 mark in away games.

The Buccaneers had shown promise earlier in the season, boasting a 7-3 record over their last ten games. However, they came into this contest on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Austin Peay Governors. In those games, they averaged 74.6 points scored while allowing 73.6 points, which indicated a slight decline in their defensive performance. Their scoring average for the season was 78.0 points, with an average of 67.9 points allowed, suggesting that while they could score, they had also been vulnerable defensively.

In contrast, Jacksonville State's recent form had been mixed, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games and also on a two-game losing streak. Their scoring average was 74.0 points, but they had been particularly strong defensively, allowing only 62.1 points per game. This defensive prowess had not translated into consistent wins, as evidenced by their struggles on the road, where they were 0-2 this season.

The odds for the game, provided by DraftKings, favored East Tennessee State with a spread of -9.5 and a total set at 134.5. The home moneyline was -550.0, while Jacksonville State was listed at 410.0. These odds reflected the Buccaneers' strong home record and the expectations surrounding their performance, despite their recent struggles.

In terms of previous meetings, this game marked another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between these two teams. While specific historical outcomes were not detailed in the block, the stakes of this matchup were high given both teams' current standings and aspirations for the season.

Injuries were not mentioned in the block, so both teams appeared to have their full rosters available for this crucial game. The absence or presence of key players can often sway the outcome, but in this instance, both teams were likely fielding their best lineups.

The conditions for the game were typical for a December evening in Tennessee, which can often influence play, particularly in terms of crowd energy and player performance. The Freedom Hall venue provided a home-court advantage that the Buccaneers had capitalized on throughout the season.

As the game unfolded, the scoring plays highlighted the competitive nature of the contest. Notably, Brian Taylor II made crucial free throws in the closing moments, which helped secure the Gamecocks' lead. Maki Johnson's 28-foot three-point jumper, assisted by Jaylen Smith, was a pivotal moment that brought the score to 77-75, showcasing the Gamecocks' ability to perform under pressure.

Ultimately, the Gamecocks' victory over the Buccaneers not only adds to their confidence but also raises questions about East Tennessee State's ability to bounce back from consecutive losses. With the season still in its early stages, both teams will look to build on this game as they move forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ETSU -9.5	134.5 o -112 / u -108	Jacksonville State Gamecocks +410 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -550

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

Leaders

PointsBrian Taylor II20East Tennessee State Buccaneers
AssistsJaylen Smith5East Tennessee State Buccaneers
ReboundsCam Morris III4East Tennessee State Buccaneers
PointsAC Bryant29Jacksonville State Gamecocks
AssistsMostapha El Moutaouakkil3Jacksonville State Gamecocks
ReboundsEmondrek Erkins-Ford8Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Recent form

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Last 10: 7-3Streak L278 scored · 67.9 allowed per game6-0 at home

L58-77at North Carolina Tar HeelsDec 17
L75-76at Austin Peay GovernorsDec 13
W78-62vs Tusculum PioneersDec 7
W91-65vs South Alabama JaguarsDec 6
L71-88at Dayton FlyersDec 3
W80-57vs Central Arkansas BearsNov 29
W97-55vs UL Monroe WarhawksNov 23
W77-62vs Morehead State EaglesNov 22
W78-74at North Alabama LionsNov 15
W75-63vs Northern Kentucky NorseNov 13

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Last 10: 4-6Streak L274 scored · 62.1 allowed per game0-2 away

L59-62vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsDec 18
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

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
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
East Tennessee State	23-11	-	13-5
Mercer	19-13	2	11-7
Wofford	19-13	2	11-7
Samford	18-14	2	11-7
Furman	22-13	3	10-8
Western Carolina	15-16	3	10-8
UNC Greensboro	15-19	4	9-9
Chattanooga	13-19	6	7-11
The Citadel	11-22	6	7-11
VMI	6-26	12	1-17

Box score

Stat	Jacksonville State Gamecocks	East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Field goals	26-49	22-41
Field goal %	53	54
Three-pointers	11-22	8-15
Three-point %	50	53
Free throws	18-27	23-29
Free throw %	67	79
Rebounds	30	20
Offensive rebounds	11	5
Defensive rebounds	19	15
Assists	11	11
Steals	6	7
Blocks	1	6
Turnovers	12	11
Team turnovers	1	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	11
Fast-break points	12	8
Points in the paint	30	20
Fouls	20	22
Largest lead	11	6
Lead changes	3	3
Time in front	46	45

How the scoring went

2nd Half51-43Jaylen Smith makes 28-foot three point jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half51-44Jaylen Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-45Jaylen Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-45Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes layup
2nd Half53-46Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-48Cam Morris III makes 4-foot dunk (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half55-48AC Bryant makes driving layup
2nd Half55-49Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-50Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-51Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-52Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-55Brian Taylor II makes 33-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half57-55Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes 10-foot jumper (Mostapha El Moutaouakkil assists)
2nd Half57-57Cam Morris III makes layup (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half59-57Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes layup
2nd Half60-57Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half60-59Brian Taylor II makes 17-foot jumper
2nd Half61-59Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-59Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-61Brian Taylor II makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half63-61AC Bryant makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-61AC Bryant makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-61Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes 9-foot hook shot
2nd Half68-61Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half68-64Brian Taylor II makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half71-64AC Bryant makes 28-foot three point jumper
2nd Half72-64Jaye Nash makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-67Brian Taylor II makes 24-foot three point jumper (Blake Barkley assists)
2nd Half73-67Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half74-67Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-69Jaylen Smith makes 18-foot jumper
2nd Half76-69AC Bryant makes driving layup
2nd Half76-70Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half76-71Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half76-72Brian Taylor II makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half77-72Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half77-75Maki Johnson makes 28-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half78-75Jaye Nash makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half79-75AC Bryant makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half81-75AC Bryant makes 2-foot dunk

Win probability

Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours Jacksonville State Gamecocks.