JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University women's basketball team kicked off its two-game appearance in the Best Western Osprey New Year Classic Friday with a 61-54 comeback victory over UC Davis.

"This was a defining win for us," said Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. "UC Davis is a well-coached, well-oiled machine. They remind me of Florida Gulf Coast, Stetson and Lipscomb. For us to come back, a starter down, shows our type of character. I'm proud of our girls."

Brandi Buie recorded a game-high 20 points with five rebounds and five steals while Christin Mercer added 19, six, and four, respectively.

The Dolphins were down by six in the first quarter before an 11-0 run pulled them ahead of their northern California competitors. Buie singlehandedly accounted for nine points in the stretch with three straight three-pointers.

By the midpoint of the second period, the Dolphin advantage disappeared as the Aggies made a run of their own. UC Davis opened the stanza with a 9-2 scoring rally, and entered the half with its largest lead, 38-25.  

After limiting the Aggies to two points, Kimberly Dawkins tied things at 40-all with 1:14 on the clock in the third. The six-foot senior grabbed one of her four offensive rebounds on the night, and burrowed her way through three UCD defenders for a layup.

The score tied thrice more -- with two lead changes – before the Dolphins took over. Mercer's up-and-under layup earned Jacksonville its largest advantage, 58-52, at the 1:17 mark, and a 3-for-4 effort at the free throw line sealed the victory.

The decision snapped a two-game losing skid and earned the Dolphins their 10th nonconference victory.

Jacksonville wraps play in the Best Western Osprey New Year Classic tomorrow at 1 p.m. The contest versus Wofford will also serve as the team's nonconference finale.

Admission at UNF Arena is free.