Governors State athletics stayed busy over the winter break, with men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and men’s volleyball all in action against a mix of conference and nonconference opponents. Across the stretch, the Jaguars picked up key wins, showed depth and balance, and continued to build momentum heading into the heart of their schedules. From road conference victories on the hardwood to a promising opening weekend for men’s volleyball, GovState teams gave fans plenty to track as the spring semester gets underway.
Men’s Basketball
Bethel (IN) 95, Governors State 73 – Dec. 18
GovState dropped a home contest to Bethel despite four players scoring in double figures. Vincent Mayes led the Jaguars with 17 points, while Javon Johnson and Javonte McKenzie added 13 apiece. Bethel shot 49.3% and won the rebounding battle 55–35 to pull away in the second half.
Governors State 99, Vermont State Randolph 84 – Dec. 30
The Jaguars closed December strong with a 99-point effort, shooting 57.6% from the floor and knocking down 13 three-pointers. Jaylon Calvin posted 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, while Shandon J-D Anderson led all scorers with 27.
Concordia (NE) 83, Governors State 70 – Dec. 31
GovState led at halftime but was outscored 57–38 in the second half. Javon Johnson scored 15 points, Maxwell Marius added 13, and Vincent Mayes finished with 14 on perfect shooting.
Governors State 83, St. Francis (IL) 71 – Jan. 3
The Jaguars opened the new year with a home win, shooting 53.7% and going 23-of-27 at the free-throw line. Joffrey Nunnally led with 21 points, while Maxwell Marius added 17.
Trinity Christian (IL) 83, Governors State 75 – Jan. 7
GovState fell on the road despite 21 points from Javon Johnson. The Jaguars struggled from three-point range, finishing 3-of-18.
Governors State 91, Judson (IL) 76 – Jan. 10
Five Jaguars scored in double figures as GovState picked up a conference win. Javonte McKenzie and Bronson Bartuch scored 19 points apiece, and Trae Warren added 18 off the bench.
Governors State 97, Indiana Northwest 80 – Jan. 14
GovState never trailed in the road win, shooting 52.3% and scoring 55 first-half points. McKenzie finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Governors State 81, Saint Xavier (IL) 67 – Jan. 17
Maxwell Marius led all scorers with 19 points as the Jaguars shot 50.8% and controlled the game from start to finish.
Governors State 108, Holy Cross 104 (OT) – Jan. 21
GovState outlasted Holy Cross in overtime. Isaiah Tolbert poured in 32 points, Maxwell Marius added 28, and the Jaguars outscored Holy Cross 11–7 in the extra period.
Indiana South Bend (IN) 77, Governors State 71 – Jan. 24
GovState led at halftime but was outscored 43–28 in the second half. Maxwell Marius scored 16 points, and Vincent Mayes added 14.
Winning 6 out of the 10 games during this stretch, the team reached a record of 14-7 on the season, looking to continue their strong form into the postseason, slated to start early in March.
Up Next:
GovState hosts Viterbo on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 5:00 p.m. CT at the GSU ARC.
Women’s Basketball
Governors State 66, Midway 54 – Dec. 29
The Jaguars controlled the first half and closed out a home win behind Davina Smith’s 16 points and Kalvina Eubanks’ double-double.
Freed-Hardeman (TN) 63, Governors State 34 – Dec. 30
GovState struggled offensively against an undefeated Freed-Hardeman squad, shooting 22.7% from the floor.
Governors State 57, Judson (IL) 51 – Jan. 10
Cencere McDaniel scored 22 points and Davina Smith grabbed 17 rebounds as the Jaguars secured a conference win.
Governors State 71, Indiana Northwest 59 – Jan. 14
McDaniel scored 30 points to lead GovState, which forced 23 turnovers in the road victory.
St. Francis (IL) 56, Governors State 41 – Jan. 17
GovState was held to 25.0% shooting in the road loss.
Governors State 76, Holy Cross 62 – Jan. 21
McDaniel scored 24 points and the Jaguars went 20-of-24 at the free-throw line to secure the win.
Saint Xavier (IL) 69, Governors State 60 – Jan. 24
GovState cut into an early deficit but was held to 10 fourth-quarter points.
Governors State 60, St. Ambrose (IA) 52 – Jan. 28
Davina Smith scored 24 points as the Jaguars closed the stretch with a home win.
Over the 8 games of of the break the lady Jaguars held a strong record of 5-3 and they will look to build this into momentum during this late part of the season.
Coming Next: GovState travels to Mount Mary on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Men’s Volleyball
Park 3, Governors State 1 – Jan. 22
GovState opened the season with a competitive four-set match. Pablo Pascual and Diego Antunez led with 11 kills each.
Westcliff (CA) 3, Governors State 1 – Jan. 23
GovState took the first set before Westcliff claimed the final three. Daniel Lopez and Pascual each recorded 12 kills.
Governors State 3, Jamestown 1 – Jan. 23
The Jaguars picked up their first win of the season, hitting .274 and receiving balanced production across the lineup.
Morningside 3, Governors State 2 – Jan. 24
GovState pushed Morningside to five sets before falling 18–16 in the fifth. Diego Antunez finished with 28 kills.
With a record of 1 and 3 over the 4 games of the break the Jaguars look to build a strong stretch on their sophomore season.
Up Next: GovState opens its home slate against Cornerstone (MI) on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9:00 a.m. CT at the GSU ARC (University Park, Ill.).
As the spring semester begins, Governors State teams head into the heart of their schedules with momentum, experience, and plenty of opportunities ahead. With conference play ramping up and multiple home events on the horizon, the winter stretch offered a strong foundation for what’s to come. Best of luck to all GovState programs as the season continues, and here’s to a successful semester and a strong start to the new year for Jaguars athletics.