WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Mostapha El Moutaouakkil scored 31 points to lead Jacksonville State to a 78-74 comeback victory over Florida International in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Wednesday night.

The Gamecocks trailed 32-24 at halftime but erupted for 54 second-half points. El Moutaouakkil keyed the surge, adding four assists. JaCoby Hill added 15 points for Jacksonville State, which improved to 11-9.

Corey Stephenson scored 20 points for the Golden Panthers, who fell to 10-11. Julian Mackey added 14 points.

Florida International led by as many as 12 points in the first half but was undone by 18 turnovers. Jacksonville State secured the win by making critical free throws in the final minute. Attendance at Ocean Bank Convocation Center was 1,124.