NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off their first ASUN Conference win of the season, the Jacksonville University women's basketball team headed north Saturday to take on Lipscomb University. Despite a prolific scoring performance in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins' (3-11, 1-8) were unable to overcome early shooting woes, falling to the Lady Bisons (8-7, 5-4) by a final score of 66-55.
 
Jacksonville controlled the opening tip and scored on their first possession as Johné Stewart knocked down a three-pointer from the wing. Shekinah Rachel hit a step back jumper on JU's next trip down the floor to make it 5-0 in the first minute. Neither side would find much success shooting the ball for the next several minutes until Lipscomb broke a nearly three-minute scoreless streak for the game with a jumper near the six-minute mark. A pair of three's from the Lady Bisons gave them their first lead of the game before a layup from DeShari Graham got JU back within one at 8-7, but another triple from Lipscomb pushed the lead back to four before a free throw by Graham made it 11-8 at the end of ten minutes.
 
The Dolphins tied things at 11 in the second as Nashville native Ashley Malone knocked down a shot from beyond the arc. The Lady Bisons responded with a 7-0 run to retake the lead at 18-11. Baskets from MaKayla Edwards and Graham bracketed a Lipscomb basket to get back within five at 20-15. Lipscomb stymied Jacksonville over the final five minutes of the half, outscoring the Green & Gold 8-3 over that stretch to lead 28-18 at the half.
 
A big third quarter by the Lady Bisons stretched their advantage, as they outscored the Dolphins 22-11 to extend their advantage to 50-29.
 
 Jacksonville played finished the afternoon with their best quarter of the day, scoring 26 in the final period in a furious comeback attempt that came up just short. Edwards got things rolling with a corner three to start before a quick 6-0 Lipscomb run. The two sides then exchanged a series of three-pointers before the Dolphins went on an 11-2 run to get back within 15. The Lady Bisons managed to score to break the run with a minute remaining before JU scored the final six points of the game, hanging on to win 66-55.
 
Edwards posted a career day, finishing the afternoon with 18 points on 5-12 shooting, including 4-8 from long range, and pulled down a career-best eight rebounds. Malone posted 13 points in her homecoming game while Graham finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Stewart and Alexis Pierce had seven rebounds each.
 
The two teams will be back in action again tomorrow from Allen Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 3 PM EST.