JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With 13 of 15 players recording points, the Jacksonville University women's basketball team cruised to a 94-36 victory over Thomas (Ga.), Saturday afternoon at Historic Swisher Gymnasium.

Led by junior Jada Perry's 18 points and seven rebounds, the Dolphins shot 53.6 percent from the floor to pick up their first win of the 2019-20 season in dominating fashion. For her efforts, Perry was named Hodges Mazda Player of the Game.
 

"We came out and there were some spots where we were sloppy; there were some spots where we did some good things. We need to make sure we capitalize on a lot of different things," noted head coach Darnell Haney following the game.

It was all Jacksonville from the opening tip as the Dolphins (1-1) pushed a fast-paced tempo and an aggressive press to pressure Thomas (Ga.) early. As their 6-0 lead extended to 14-4 just 2:59 into the game, the Dolphins saw eight different players contribute points in the first 10 minutes as JU held a 29-8 lead after the first quarter.

Though the pace slowed slightly in the second, the Dolphins continued to rain shots and led by as many as 23 in the first half, as sophomore Destiny Marshall dropped in the first of her 16 points to give JU a 31-8 lead just 10 seconds into the second quarter. With time winding down, senior Kiara Meeks go her own rebound and converted a shot just as time expired to preserve JU's 31-point lead at halftime, 45-22.

"We are a pressing team, but we have to get our rotations right. We didn't get our rotations right, so we had to pull it off. When we got back to it and they start to understand it, we'll be in great shape," added Haney.

Highlighting the first half, freshman Da'Nasia Shaw led all scorers with 10 points, as the Fort Valley, Ga. native knocked down a pair of three-pointers and finished the half 4-for-5 from the floor with a pair of steals to her credit. Shaw finished the day with 13 points and three steals.

Jacksonville continued its assault in the second half, as the Dolphins outscored the Night Hawks 49-14. Beginning with a 13-0 run to open the third quarter, JU pushed its lead to 37 as Perry converted on an and-one play to give the Dolphins a 63-26 advantage with 1:58 on the clock.

With a 65-31 lead to open the final 10-minute period, Jacksonville finished the game with its signature high-intensity play reminiscent of the first quarter. Holding the Night Hawks to just five points, the Dolphins exploded for 29 – as sophomore Johné Stewart chipped in eight points and Perry added six.

With his final comments on the game, Haney stated, "All in all, they came and moved the ball a lot better. We had 17 assists on 37 shots, so that's not bad. I'm excited about the group. We just have to be better. We could've been better, some of the shots we took could've been better. We just have to know who we are and continue to be who we are."

Marshall finished the day with 16 points, while Stewart contributed eight. Meeks led the Dolphins with four steals to go along with her eight points and five rebounds, while senior Mariah Batz handed out a game-high four assists.

Samantha Gilbert led the Night Hawks with eight points, while both Alisha Clayton and Caprice Brown recorded four rebounds each.

The Dolphins return to action next Wednesday, Nov. 13 when they travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State at 7 p.m.