JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University men's basketball team (7-8) closed out 2019 with a thriller inside Swisher Gymnasium opposite South Carolina State (5-7) but ultimately came up just short of a victory, 58-52.

The Dolphins battled from behind most of the game but had an opportunity to tie the score, down three with less than 20 seconds to play. Destin Barnes found an opening from deep, but his try rimmed out and the Bulldogs made free throws to put this one away. Both sides played stellar defense as neither offense managed to shoot above 33.3 percent from the floor.

The three leading scorers for JU, David Bell, Aamahne Santos and Diante Wood, each tallied eight points while Bryce Workman (Hodges Mazda Player of the Game) came off the bench to score seven while pulling down eight boards. Bell added eight boards and blocks three shots with an assist across 24 minutes of action. Kevin Norman added six boards and Mo Arnold chipped in six points off the bench.

Jacksonville led 10-6 following a Mo Arnold lay-in at the 12:11 mark of the first half but a 10-0 South Carolina State run followed and put the Bulldogs ahead for good. The Dolphins trailed by as many as 12 in the first half but pulled to within five by the break.

Trailing the entire second half, JU fell behind by as many as 10 but the defense held true and despite a seven-point spread with 2:45 to go, Dave Bell took over. He finished through contact inside to make it a five-point game with 1:51 left then swatted a shot on the other end that led to a breakaway layup for DeAnthony McCallum. Just like that the Dolphins were within three with 50 seconds left.

The defense came up with one more big stop and Arnold rushed the ball across the timeline to call timeout with 24 seconds to go. Head coach Tony Jasick drew up a shot for Barnes that missed its mark and that was that.

The year 2020 awaits now for JU who will begin ASUN play in Florence, Ala. opposite North Alabama. That matchup on Jan. 2 is set for a 7 p.m. EST start.