NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jacksonville University women's basketball (20-7, 9-3 ASUN Conference) secured its fourth 20-win season, the second under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, in a 73-67 decision over Lipscomb Saturday at Allen Arena. With 10 rebounds apiece, Sherranda Reddick and Christin Mercer each recorded a double-double with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Brandi Buie finished two rebounds shy of the double-double club, but posted a game-high 22 points.

"I'm just proud of the girls. February is a tough month, and to close out on the road is a huge task, no matter who we are playing," said McCuin. "We found a way and gutted it out together.

"Sherranda really willed us to victory, along with Brandi and Merce. People step up when they need to. There are some people that may not have had a lot of points but this was a total team effort."

Jacksonville came out of the gate running on all cylinders, but couldn't maintain its advantage through the opening quarter.

Reddick singlehandedly sparked the Dolphins' game-opening run with three consecutive baskets in a 10-2 spurt, before the Bisons tied things twice and took a 19-18 edge at the end of the period.  

The sides traded scores to start the second, and it was the Dolphins who came out on top at halftime, 39-35. Reddick and Buie accounted for 25 first half points on a combined 10-for-14 effort from the floor.

Lipscomb regained its lead, 52-51, with 4:40 to go in the third quarter on an Alex Banks three-pointer, and Mercer capped the home team's 7-0 run on the Dolphins' next possession.

She split an opportunity at the free throw line to tie the game before Buie pushed JU back up by one, 53-52, on another trip to the charity stripe.

Jacksonville held the Bisons without a field goal for nearly five minutes until a midrange jumper by Loshaveon Jones concluded the quarter, and earned Lipscomb a 57-55 edge.

There were two ties and two lead changes in the early goings of the final frame, and the tides turned in favor of the Dolphins around the five-minute mark. Mercer banked a layup to put JU up, 64-63, with 5:44 remaining, and though the Bisons threatened – it was a two-point game at the 30 second mark – Jacksonville held on for good.

The Dolphins continue their road travels Monday at 7 p.m. against Kennesaw State.