JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – In a physical battle for Jacksonville supremacy, Jacksonville University's men's basketball team emerged victorious, winning the game 86-82 over Jacksonville State University on Saturday night in the Pete Mathews Coliseum. This was the first road win for the Dolphins in the 2015-16 season.

The Dolphins used a huge run out of the halftime locker room to jump out to a massive second half lead. They scored five baskets in the period before the Gamecocks scored their first, and led by as much as 14 in the second half.

But Jacksonville State refused to go away quietly, putting together a run of its own to pull within five, 63-58, with 12:04 to go in the game. The Dolphins scored four straight, but another Gamecock run put the score at 67-63 with less than 10 minutes left. Jacksonville State took the lead for the first time since the first 30 seconds of the game 77-74 with three minutes left, and another JSU basket caused a JU timeout. With 2:20 left in the game, the Gamecocks led 79-74. Thankfully the Dolphins had one more run left in them, outscoring Jacksonville State 12-3 in the final two minutes.

Kori Babineaux led the Dolphins in scoring with 21 points, also collecting eight rebounds and four assists. The senior guard was 9-12 from the field. Marcel White had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Darius Dawkins had 15 points, and Josh Adeyeye had 12 points, including the deciding three-pointer that gave the Dolphins the lead for good.

The theme of the first half was big runs. At the first media break JU held a one-point advantage, 9-8. The Dolphins found their range early, shooting 67 percent through the first 10 minutes. JU stretched its lead to 15 with five minutes left in the period, but the final media timeout proved key for the Gamecocks, who would respond with a run of their own. Jacksonville State closed out the half outscoring the Dolphins 18-8, and the two teams headed into the halftime locker room with the scoreboard reading Jacksonville 47, Jacksonville State 44.

The Dolphins improve to 4-5 overall, and add their first road win of the season. The Gamecocks drop to 3-8. Up next for the Dolphins is a game at South Carolina State, which will take place at 2 p.m. at the SHM Memorial Center.

Tip-Ins

Marcel White collected his second double-double of the season in this game.

White has scored in double figures in every game this season.

The Dolphins shot 56 percent from the field, and 50 percent from three. That's the best JU has shot from three this season.

Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season at JUDolphins.com and through Twitter @JacksonvilleMBB.