JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Yettra Specks scored 24 points, hitting 13 of 14 from the line, and Jackson State held off conference leader Texas Southern for a 71-62 win Monday night.

Jackson State (11-15, 7-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference) never trailed but had to scramble in the second half as Texas Southern closed to within three before JSU pulled away again, sealing it with eight consecutive free throws down the stretch.

Janarius Middleton added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Paris Collins and Ed Dennis had 10 apiece for JSU, who jumped out to a 24-11 lead in the first half and have won two in a row.

Despite the loss, Texas Southern (14-11, 10-2) held on to first place in the SWAC but just a half-game ahead of Alcorn State, which beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday. Marvin Jones led Texas Southern with 14 points and seven rebounds.

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