JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University women's basketball team thoroughly enjoys playing in front of its home crowd. The Dolphins' knack for producing when at Swisher Gymnasium was evident in their 76-64 victory over FIU on Sunday afternoon.

"This [win] is huge for us," said Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. "When you lose a couple of games in a row, it's easy for self-doubt to seep in. I thought that our girls stayed focused on us and didn't allow that to happen. I was proud of us tonight."

With four ties, totaling a little over eight minutes, and three lead changes, to say the first half saw a lot of back-and-fourth action would be an understatement. The clock read 6:18 at the final stalemate, 16-all, before the Dolphins pieced together a 12-4 run to take a 26-18 advantage.

A resilient Panther team wouldn't allow the Fins to hold a double-figure lead; however, Jacksonville entered the break up, 29-22.

Both squads nearly doubled their offensive efforts in the second frame but the highlight of the half was guard LaDeyah Forte'.

"I was really proud of LaDeyah," McCuin continued. "I've really been challenging her to step up and be a leader for us and I think she did that tonight."

Forte' scored a career-high 18 points to lead all scorers, posting 16 in the final nine minutes of the contest. At one point, she made three baskets in a row, capped by a deep three pointer, 63-50, which cemented the Dolphins' lead at the 3:49 mark. Forte' also dished four assists with two steals while only committing two turnovers in 30 minutes of play.

Forward Briona Brown also had a stellar outing with 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Her efforts in the first frame assisted the Dolphins in separating themselves from FIU as she dazzled the crowd with midrange jumpers and up-and-under layups.

"What I love about Briona is that she is willing to do anything we ask her to do, whether it's playing the guard position or the post, and that is why she is our captain."

In the win, the Dolphins improved to 3-5 on the season with all three successes occurring at home.

Next, Jacksonville begins a three-game road stretch with its first contest at Tennessee State on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.