JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A hot-handed second quarter lifted the Jacksonville University women's basketball team to a 76-53 victory over ASUN Conference foe Lipscomb, Monday evening at Historic Swisher Gymnasium. The win gives the Dolphins a top-4 seed in the upcoming ASUN Tournament, and a guaranteed postseason home game.

"It was a great team effort collectively. We came out and defended for really the first three quarters. The third to fourth quarter we got some fouls called and we didn't take care of some defensive assignments, but I think the girls were solid defensively all game," noted head coach Darnell Haney.

After opening the game with an 11-3 lead, the Dolphins (17-10, 9-5 ASUN) saw back-to-back three pointers from seniors Mariah Batz (4:04) and Kiara Meeks (2:14) to extend their advantage to 19-13 after the first period.
Batz continued to pour it on from beyond the arc, with four of her five triples coming in the second quarter. As they held the Bisons (7-21, 4-11 ASUN) scoreless for 7:11, the Dolphins' textbook defense opened the door for a massive 24-0 run that ballooned JU's lead to 50-18 at the intermission. All 17 of Batz's points came before the break, and she was named Hodges Mazda Player of the Game.
 

JU shot 63.6% from the floor (21-33), including a jaw-dropping 76.5% (13-17) in the second quarter, and held a 26-10 advantage on rebounds through halftime.

"[The second quarter] was huge," added Haney. "We were able to rev it up and get some of our horses in who can go, run, and defend at a high level. We were able to get out in transition and play the game how we like to play; I was excited about that."

Noting the hot first half from Batz, Haney stated, "Mariah is a consummate worker; it was due time. She was able to come back [after the last game] and she just got in the gym and worked and continued to get going. If relentless had a face, it would be Mariah Batz."

If the first half was owned by Batz, the second was notably highlighted by 13 of redshirt-senior Shakayla Nevitt's 20 points – including all 11 in the third quarter – to close out the game. While the Dolphins were outpaced 35-26 over the remaining 20 minutes, Jacksonville never faltered as nearly every 'Phin who found themselves on the court recorded points. When everything settled, the Dolphins turned their 61-33 third-quarter lead to the final 67-53 win for their third-straight win.

Nevitt (20 points), Batz (17 points), and redshirt-senior Shalonda Neely (13 points) all recorded double figures, while Meeks added seven points and brought down a team-high nine rebounds.

For Lipscomb, Taylor Clark posted a team-high 15 points and six rebounds, while Carleigh Short and Casey Collier added 11 points each.

With the regular season drawing to a close in one week, the Dolphins face a road gauntlet with Stetson on Saturday, Feb. 29 and FGCU – who is receiving votes in the latest AP Poll – on Monday, Mar. 2.

"Every game is huge in this conference. Every one of the teams can play and every one of the coaches are good coaches," noted Haney. "We have to come and prepare for Stetson going into next weekend, then prepare for FGCU. It's a battle every game and every time we step out [onto the court]. We have to make sure we're locked in on both ends of the floor for both games."