Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. - In a season-opening clash of nationally-ranked teams, the No. 21 Alabama-Huntsville Chargers lived up to their nickname, making a second-half charge to down the sixth-ranked Moccasins 87-82 here Friday afternoon in the SSC-GSC Challenge.
After Terry Jenkins' three-pointer put the Moccasins ahead 63-62 with 6:10 remaining, the Chargers' Srdjan Boskovic hit a three-pointer and a two-pointer on back-to-back possessions to give UAH a 67-63 advantage that they never relinquished. The Moccasins could only get as close as three points, at 78-75, when Jenkins hit a three-pointer and a free throw with 1:00 left.
The Chargers, who were 23-7 last season, had taken Alabama to double overtime in an exhibition game Monday at Alabama before losing 73-68 to the Crimson Tide.
In the first half the Moccasins looked like they were ready to take charge when Jenkins' three-pointer started a 10-0 run that put FSC up 29-21 with 7:44 left in the half. The Chargers stormed back with a 12-3 run of their own, though, and the game stayed close the rest of the half. Damon Ellison's bucket with 0:30 left gave the Moccasins a 41-39 halftime lead. FSC started the second half with a 9-2 run to build the margin to 50-41, but was unable to hold off the Chargers.
Jenkins led the Moccasins with 20 points, including four three-pointers. Brandon Jenkins tossed in 16 points and Andre Hawkins added 12, with all of his coming in the first half. Rion Rayfield did not start the game, but played 30 minutes and scored nine points. Brandon Jenkins was FSC's top rebounder with six.
Boskovic was the Chargers' top scorer with 20 points and he also connected on four three-pointers. Zane Campbell added 17 points and Josh Magette tossed in 13.
FSC shot 48.1 percent from the field (26-54), while UAH shot 56.6 percent (30-53).
The Moccasins play North Alabama Saturday at 2 p.m. UNA dropped an 83-73 decision to Eckerd Friday, despite a 29-point effort from Nick Luttrell, who was 17-21 from the three throw line.
Valdosta State will provide live stats for the game at http://www.sidearmstats.com/valdosta/mbball/index.htm.
The SSC-GSC Challenge is matching four Sunshine State Conference schools (FSC, Eckerd, Rollins and Saint Leo) against four Gulf South Conference schools (Ala.-Huntsville, North Alabama, Valdosta State and Delta State).
