Both JSU women's seniors out

It was 18 minutes before tip of Thursday night's game with UT-Martin and the JSU women's basketball team was on the floor warming up.

But the Gamecocks were without their two most veteran players, and likely will be for the rest of the year.

Senior Jolie Efezokhae watched the warmups from the bench in street clothes, a set of crutches nearby to help her get along with the ankle injury she suffered on last weekend's trip to eastern Kentucky. Team officials said she's done for the year.

The Gamecocks were already without senior guard Kelsey Johnikin, who hasn't played since Jan. 23 after falling out of a truck helping a friend move.

What that means is the team will hold its Senior Day ceremonies Saturday without either of its seniors available to play.

If Efezokhae is done, she will finish as the fifth leading scorer in JSU women's basketball history (1,194). Her time has been limited since the middle of December anyway. She's played 15 minutes or more only once since Dec. 18 and hasn't scored more than nine points in any game since Dec. 5.

The Gamecocks have six regular-season games remaining, counting Thursday. They entered the game tied for ninth place in the OVC standings, but were only a half-game out of the eighth and final OVC Tournament spot and one game out of seventh.

UT-Martin also is limited tonight. LaBrica Ward, the reigning OVC Player and Freshman of the Week, has been suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons. Skyhawks starters Cali Cupples and Alecia Weatherly are both playing sick.