JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University women's basketball team opened up a four-game homestand Saturday at Swisher Gymnasium, as they welcomed ASUN Conference leader FGCU to town. The Dolphins (3-13, 1-10) fought hard for all 40 minutes but the Eagles (18-2, 11-0) used a big third quarter to pull away to an 89-64 win.
 
Jacksonville scored first and held the lead of the opening moments of the contest. DeShari Graham scored on a driving layup to get things going before Johné Stewart connected on a three and a pull-up jumper in the paint following three baskets by FGCU to make it 7-6. The two sides played each other even for the next few minutes before an FGCU three at 2:05 put them ahead 12-9 and gave them a lead they would hold until the final buzzer. The Eagles scored nine of the last 11 points of the first quarter to lead 21-11 after 10 minutes.
 
In the second quarter, the Dolphins kept the Eagles within arm's reach. After a basket by MaKayla Edwards got JU within eight, FGCU answered with transition layup, after which the pace of play slowed significantly. A layup by Graham once more made it an eight-point game after a scoreless drought of nearly two minutes. Another three minutes would elapse before another point would go on the board, as Da'Nasia Shaw hit a free-throw with 3:28 left before halftime to make it 23-16. The Eagles hit a three on their next possession and outscored Jacksonville 11-5 over the final minutes of play to lead 32-21 at the intermission.
 
Coming out to start the third quarter, FGCU shot 68.4% from the field to extend their lead to 67-44 heading to the fourth. The Dolphins also shot the ball well in third quarter, scoring 22 points behind 9-13 from the field, but were unable to pace the opposition.
 
The fourth quarter saw JU outscore FGCU and close the deficit to less than 20 with just over four minutes remaining, but the Eagles were able to withstand the surge by Jacksonville and take the game 89-64.
 
Edwards posted her second double-figure scoring performance in her last three games, finishing with 16 points on 6-11 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc. She was joined in double-figures by Stewart, who finished with 14 points on 6-9 shooting and Graham, who added 12 on a perfect 6-6 day. Shaw posted four points in her her return to action, having last played March 7 of last season. Shekinah Rachel had nine points led the way on the boards with six, as JU outrebounded FGCU 37-33 in the game.
 
The two teams will close out the weekend Sunday with another contest scheduled for a 1 PM start from Swisher Gymnasium.