LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Jacksonville University men's basketball team (8-10, 1-2 ASUN) went toe-to-toe with one of the best defensive teams in the country on Saturday afternoon in Liberty (18-1, 4-0 ASUN) and ultimately came up short despite an effective defensive effort of its own, 54-37.

David Bell (Hodges Mazda Player of the Game) was on a mission. He scored a game-high 16 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to secure his eighth double-double of the season and lead the Dolphins throughout the game. Bell was 7-12 from the floor and 2-3 from the free throw line.

Diante Wood joined Bell in double figures off the bench, adding 13 points and three boards. The only other Dolphins to contribute points were Aamahne Santos (5) and Trey Sides (3). Kevin Norman grabbed six rebounds and handed out an assist.

This was a battle from the tip with just seven total points scored over the first six minutes of the ball game. While the Dolphins managed to hold Liberty to just 42 percent shooting it was their own 27.5 percent effort on the other end that created the gap. Liberty knocked down seven triples against just two for JU.

The Dolphins trailed 3-2 after securing their first made bucket of the evening but 16-2 before converting another field goal. The lead ballooned to 15 at the break but Jacksonville was re-focused coming out of the locker room. By the 15:28 mark the deficit was down to 10 but a pair of costly turnovers allowed Liberty to jump back ahead by 16 and that was enough to put this one away.

The Dolphins will return home next week for a pair of contests from friendly Swisher Gymnasium. First, the River City Rumble awaits on Jan. 16 followed by a date with Stetson on Saturday, Jan. 18.