HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Darion Rackley scored 26 points, one off his career high, and had five steals as Jacksonville State took a big early lead and then held on to beat Alabama A&M 67-61 on Tuesday night.

The Gamecocks (2-3) led by as many as 16 in the first half, but fell behind after the break when Nicholas West and Ladarius Tabb each scored back-to-back buckets for Alabama A&M (1-3).

West scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Tabb had 18 points, a dozen boards and four steals for the Bulldogs.

Jacksonville State took the lead for keeps when Avery Moore (12 points) hit a 3-pointer and then sank all three free throws after he was fouled with 10:40 to go.

Alabama A&M whittled an 11-point gap down to four, 62-58, with 44 seconds left, but Gamecocks Rackley, JaQuail Townser and Undra Mitchem sank 5 of 6 from the line.