JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Playing at home for the first time in the new year, the Jacksonville University women's basketball team squared off the University of North Alabama Saturday afternoon at Swisher Gymnasium. The Dolphins (2-6, 0-3) led for most of the first half Saturday, but a big surge in the third quarter allowed the Lions (4-10, 3-2) to take the lead and go on to a 75-61 win.
 
Jacksonville started the day strong, leading for most of the opening 20 minutes and controlling the pace of the game. The Dolphins got everyone involved early in the first quarter, as each of JU's first five baskets were scored by a different player. After a basket by Johné Stewart with just under two minutes remaining gave JU an 18-11 lead, the Lions scored the final five points of the first quarter and opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run to go ahead 24-18.
 
After exchanging baskets, the Dolphins would answer with a 10-0 run to retake the lead 30-26 led by Erin Wilson. When the second quarter buzzer sounded, the score was even at 32-32, but after a video review of an Olivia Noah jumper with 1:47 in the quarter, the officials ruled that it was a two-point shot and adjusted the score to 32-31 as the two sides headed to their locker rooms for the intermission.
 
The difference in the game was a 25-0 run by the Lions that began at the end of the first half and continued well into the third period. Jacksonville was without a basket for nearly seven minutes to begin the quarter before DeShari Graham broke the seal and got the Dolphins on the board with a layup. JU scored the final 10 points of the period, capped by a Stewart three-pointer from the top of the arc to beat the third quarter buzzer. Despite outscoring the Lions in the final 10 minutes, the Dolphins would never get closer than 10 as a comeback effort was not in the cards.
 
Wilson led the way for the Dolphins, scoring 17 points on 6-11 shooting to go with five rebounds. Stewart scored 16 points on 7-13 shooting in her third game of the season. Khalela Hayes recorded her second double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 13 boards along with four steals and two blocks.
 
The two teams will face off once more tomorrow afternoon, with tip-off scheduled again for 1 PM.