Ray Harper left his return to his former program and home state with a big win for his Jacksonville State men’s basketball squad.

The Gamecocks scored a 73-67 road win over defending Conference USA tournament champion Western Kentucky on Thursday, earning their first CUSA win at E.A. Diddle Arena.

The victory marked Jax State’s first victory over the Hilltoppers, with WKU winning the other five contests.

WKU was projected to finish second in CUSA in the preseason media poll, while Jax State was projected to finish at No. 8.

The Gamecocks outrebounded WKU 50-30 in the victory, with Mason Nicholson providing a spark on both sides of the ball.

The redshirt junior center turned in a double-double for the Gamecocks, racking up 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Jax State in both categories.

Nicholson shot 9-for-13 from the field and added three blocks in the Jax State win.

He was one of five Gamecocks to score in double figures, along with Quel’Ron House (14 points), Jaron Pierre Jr. (12 points (12 points), Jao Ituka (10 points) and Koree Cotton (10 points).

House had a near double-double with nine rebounds to go along with his 12 points, also adding a game-high seven assists.

Enoch Kalambay led Western Kentucky with a game-high 24 points, grabbing five rebounds.

Jax State (9-6, 1-1 CUSA) will travel to Middle Tennessee State on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.