JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2024) – The ETSU men's basketball team came up empty on its three-game road swing as the Buccaneers were dealt a disappointing 60-52 setback at Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon inside Swisher Gym.
 
The Bucs, who suffered losses to James Madison, Wichita State and Jacksonville during this trip, struggled offensively on Saturday. The Blue & Gold shot 34 percent from the field (20-59) and went 4-of-14 at the free throw line (29%) in their final game of the SoCon/ASUN Challenge. ETSU was also out-rebounded by four, 33-29, while turning the ball over 14 times – resulting in 16 Jacksonville points. The Bucs managed to score 19 points off 19 Dolphin turnovers.
 
John Buggs III led the Bucs with 15 points as he netted five of ETSU's eight made threes. Quimari Peterson, who was held in check most of the game, scored 13 points but was 5-of-14 from the field. Peterson did grab four rebounds and dished out five of the Bucs' 10 assists. Jaden Seymour saw his streak of scoring in double figures in 19 straight games come to an end as he finished with nine points before fouling out in 20 minutes of action.
 
With the loss, ETSU – who dropped both games of the SoCon/ASUN Challenge this season – fell to 6-5, while Jacksonville improved to 6-5.
 
"This was a really poor and disappointing performance," said head coach Brooks Savage. "We couldn't handle the pressure and looked sloppy. This is very unacceptable, and it all falls on me. I have to get them better prepared. I thought we had a good week of practice, but that didn't translate today. The defense was better, but we didn't convert enough in early offense. Right now, we are not as good as we think we are… we have a ways to go."
 
The first half featured three ties and seven lead changes, but with ETSU leading 18-16, Jacksonville finished the frame on a 20-6 run to take a 36-24 advantage into halftime.
 
Things didn't get any better at the start of the second half, as the Dolphins grabbed their largest lead of the night at 43-26.
 
Despite falling behind by 17, ETSU managed to climb back into the contest – thanks to the hot hand of Buggs – as the Bucs mounted a 17-4 surge to pull within four, 47-43 with just under eight minutes remaining.
 
Unfortunately, the Dolphins scored nine of the next 11 points to push their lead back into double figures, 56-45. Peterson was able to get the Bucs back to five, 56-51 after scoring six straight points, but Jacksonville held on for the eight-point win.
 
Jacksonville shot 43 percent from the field (23-53), went 6-of-20 from three-point range (30%) and finished 8-of-11 at the free throw line.
 
Robert McCray led all players with 22 points.
 
ETSU finally returns home for the first time this month as the Bucs host Elon on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. inside Freedom Hall.
  
For more information on ETSU men's basketball, go to ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's basketball tab.