FLORENCE, Ala. – The Jacksonville University men's basketball team (9-6, 3-2 ASUN) battled North Alabama (8-3, 4-1) into overtime for the first time this season after erasing an 11-point second-half deficit but ultimately ran out of luck when a UNA floater got the home roll to seal the result, 82-81.

The Dolphins have now played in 10 games decided by nine points or less, five straight decided by six or less and three straight decided by two points or less. In six of those games, the opponent held a lead of 10 or more and in three of those, the Dolphins faced a deficit of 15 or more. Yet, Jacksonville has shown a consistent ability to erase leads and in six of those 10 games decided by nine points or less the Dolphins came away victorious.

On Friday night, the home roll favored North Alabama as the Lions and Dolphins played nearly an identical game shooting the ball from the floor. Where the difference was made was at the free throw line where Jacksonville was just 15-28 (53.6%) while UNA was 23-34 (67.6%). Jacksonville forced 19 turnovers and committed just 11, turning all 19 into points.

The Dolphins were led by a vintage performance from Tyreese Davis who scored a career-best 25 points and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds. The effort marks the third double-double of his career. Davis added three assists and a pair of steals and is the fourth different player on the roster to score more than 20 in a game this season.

On the flip side, the ASUN's leading scorer, Dontarius James was held south of double figures for just the second time this season. Jacksonville is now 5-2 when putting four our more players into double figures.

Both Kevion Nolan, who left the game early in the second half with an injury and did not return, and Mo Arnold scored 15 points in the game. Arnold added seven boards and two assists with a steal while Nolan chipped in three boards and a pair of assists. Bryce Workman collected a quiet 13 points but most notably canned a pair of free throws with less than five seconds to go in regulation to force overtime. Workman became the first Dolphin to force overtime with a free throw with less than 10 seconds to play since Darien Fernandez opposite FIU on Nov. 19, 2016.

North Alabama jumped ahead 9-0 before Mo Arnold broke the ice with his fifth triple of the season. The deficit grew to 13 by the 13:30 mark but Nolan asserted himself with a long triple and Davis followed with a driving lay-in. A Davis three ball with 6:28 to play in the half pull JU within four, 21-17, and later an Arnold free throw made it a three-point game with 5:01 to go until the break. Back-and-forth ensued, leading to a five-point North Alabama advantage at the break.

The deficit grew back to 11 with 14:31 to go but once again, Nolan was there to silence the run with a triple at the 14:03 mark. Nolan left the game with 12:30 on the clock after landing awkwardly on a fading jumper. Jacksonville trailed by nine at the time.

Davis nailed a corner triple on the next JU possession and the comeback was on. Workman converted inside, Davis knocked down a jumper just outside the lane and Workman converted a feed from Trey Sides all on consecutive possessions to knot the score at 57 with 9:37 left.

Jacksonville took its first lead with 9:08 to play in the game and its second with 7:03 to go. The Dolphins led by one, 72-71, with just 34 seconds left when Blackmon canned a step back triple that circled the rim at least three times before falling through the twine. Workman drew a foul with four seconds left and calmly knocked down both free throws to send this game to overtime, knotted at 75.

Jacksonville jumped out to a three-point advantage, 81-78, with 2:39 to go in overtime. UNA cut that down with a turnaround jumper at the 2:07 mark. Davis missed the only two free throws JU earned following that and a mad scramble under the UNA basket with 17 seconds left ended with a bouncing floater finding its mark to push the home side ahead by one, 82-81.

Jacksonville was unable to attempt a shot before the buzzer rang out, securing the victory for the Lions. These two programs will run it back on Saturday (Jan. 23) at 7 p.m. EST.