MINNEAPOLIS – Jacksonville University women's basketball went on the road and toppled a Big 10 foe for the first time in program history on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Dolphins (1-0) opened the season with a 69-66 win over Minnesota at Williams Arena, led by solid three-point and free throw shooting and a trademark stifling defense.
 
JU jumped out to an early lead, holding a 15-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The teams traded the first 18 points and it was tied at nine with 1:52 left. Shynia Jackson hit a jumper that sparked a 6-0 run to end the quarter.
 
Jackson hit a three early in the second, and Da'Nasia Shaw hit a jump shot and made a free throw to make it 23-19 JU halfway through the period. Minnesota closed the quarter strong, however, and tying it with 2:50 left and making a three and a pair of free throws to push the advantage to five before Taylor Hawks hit a short layup to trim the deficit to three, 32-29, at the half.
 
Asiah Jones started the second half with a short jumper and Carmella Walker made a free throw to tie the game at 32. Jalisa Dunlap scored four straight to put the Dolphins back on top. The Golden Gophers responded with a 5-0 run to retake the lead, 40-36, with 6:15 left in the third. After the lead changed hands a few more times, Minnesota closed the quarter strong, scoring the last five of the period to lead 50-45 after three.
 
KK Hayes hit an early layup to cap a 9-3 run to start the fourth quarter and the lead grew to four twice, thanks to a free throw by Shaw and then a three-pointer a few minutes later. The Dolphins never surrendered the lead again, making free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
 
JU returns to Swisher Gymnasium for its home opener on Monday evening, hosting Edward Waters at 7 p.m.