JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University men's basketball team (12-16, 5-8 ASUN) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1969-70 NCAA National Finalist men's basketball team on Thursday night in front of a near-capacity crowd and treated the fans to a thriller opposite Lipscomb (13-14, 8-6 ASUN). The Dolphins ultimately suffered some heartbreak in the form of a 68-67 loss, sealed in the closing moments.
Jacksonville led by as many as 15 in the first half of this one but that far from tells the story of this game. Both sides made their runs and locked in defensively at times. Jacksonville shot 50.0 percent from the floor while Lipscomb shot 45.5 percent. The Dolphins canned 40.0 percent from long range and held the Bisons to just 28.6 percent. Lipscomb out-rebounded JU, a rare feat this season, and
DeAnthony McCallum scored 21 points after being held to just one over the last two games combined.
McCallum finished a career-best nine field goals on 11 tries which includes 2-2 from long range and 1-3 from the free throw line. He added four rebounds, two steals and an assist in a career performance in front of a host of program legends.
The Dolphins wore 1969-70 tribute uniforms that spun a modern take on the classic green uniforms worn by that historic team in the 1970 Final Four and National Championship Game. Over 1,000 fans had the opportunity to cheer one more time for the members of that group that were able to attend at halftime and take pictures on the court afterward.
David Bell and
Mo Arnold joined McCallum in double figures with
Kevin Norman adding eight off the bench.
Destin Barnes had six points and three rebounds but an 0-5 mark from long range marred an unusually poor shooting performance at home for the junior. Barnes had an open look from deep to win the game as time expired, but the try was strong off back iron.
Jacksonville led by six with 3:28 to play but Barnes' jumper to create that lead went on to be the final points for his team in this one. Lipscomb found some good fortune by drawing some JU fouls to creep back into it as the clock dipped below a minute to go. A foul in the open floor led to a pair of free throws with nine seconds left that pushed the Bisons into the lead for good.
Jacksonville still has an outside shot at the No. 4 seed in the ASUN tournament but will need to take care of its business and get some help. That path begins on Saturday night when the Dolphins host Kennesaw State on senior night at 6 p.m. The Dolphins bested the Owls on the road earlier this season, 83-64.
