TAMPA, Fla. – A career-high scoring day by Shekinah Rachel wasn't enough Saturday for the Jacksonville University women's basketball team, as the Dolphins (0-2) battled host USF all game long but ultimately fell to the Bulls (1-0) 84-46 Saturday afternoon at the Yuengling Center.
 
USF got on the board first just about a minute into the contest with a jumper by Sydni Harvey. Tamia Stallings put the Dolphins on the board with her first points of the year on the ensuing possession. After Harvey hit a three to retake the lead, Shekinah Rachel answered with a three of her own to bring things back even at 5-5. The Dolphins would hang tough in the period, but a trio of Bulls runs, including a 9-0 stretch in the final four minutes to drive the deficit to 16 by the end of the period.
 
In the second quarter, JU scored twice early on a layup by Jada Perry and Rachel's second trey of the half to make it 30-17, but that would be as close as Jacksonville would get as the Bulls would go on another run and take a 49-25 lead into the locker room.
 
The third quarter was one filled with runs by both sides, as the two teams matched each other point for point as they played to a draw in the quarter, scoring 15 each to make it 64-40 heading into the final period.
 
In the fourth quarter, USF pulled away, using a 16-0 run to outscore the Dolphins by 14 in the period as Jacksonville just couldn't match the depth available off of the Bulls bench. The seniors Perry and Pierce were responsible combined for six points as JU went just 2-17 from the field in the period.
 
Perry led the Dolphins with 10 points and also pulled down five boards. Rachel posted a career-best nine points to go with three boards of her own. Pierce added eight points while Malone and Graham each added seven to follow up their debut performances Wednesday.
 
For the Bulls, eight of 11 players who saw action in the contest scored, led by Kristyna Brabencova's 18. Beatriz Jordao posted a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 14 rebounds. Two other players also scored in double-figures for USF.
 
Jacksonville will open their 2020-21 home schedule next weekend as they welcome FIU to Swisher Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM. For more information about Dolphin home games this season, click here.