JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was a back-and-forth battle all game long Saturday for the Jacksonville University women's basketball, as they played host to Bellarmine University in the first-ever matchup between the two schools. With the score tied through 40 minutes, overtime was needed to decide a winner. A valiant defensive effort and a trio of big scoring performances weren't enough however, as the Dolphins (2-10, 0-7) came up just short in the extra period against the Knights (4-10, 4-5), 75-71.
 
"We had opportunities that we just didn't convert today," said head coach Darnell Haney. "We got to make sure we play hard for the full time and find a way to finish games, but I am incredibly proud of the effort put forth by this group today. The continue to compete regardless of the situation and continue to grow and develop as we move through the schedule."
 
"We had some chances late to put this one away that we weren't able to convert, a few missed free throws, and layup and that's the difference in the game. Our defensive intensity and pressure today was exactly where we want it to be and that sets the tone for who we are as a team, and allows us to score in transition, create extra posessions and set up on offense. This one is something to build off of and we will look to go out and get a win on Sunday."
 
Jacksonville started the game with back-to-back three's by Erin Wilson and DeShari Graham in the first 50 seconds to lead 6-2. The Dolphins got everyone involved in the scoring early, with four different players scoring the first four field goals of the game. A MaKayla Edwards three at 5:53 put JU ahead by six at 14-8 before Bellarmine rattled off seven-straight to take their first lead at 15-14. An old-fashioned three-point play by Shekinah Rachel put the Green & Gold back up with just over two minutes to go before the Knights ended the period on a 5-0 run to lead 20-17 after 10 minutes.
 
JU opened the second period on a 6-0 run started by Rachel and capped with a step-back jumper from Alexis Pierce to go back ahead 23-20. The Knights then posted a string of 11-straight to take an eight-point lead before a jumper from Wilson broke the Dolphins' brief cold spell. A traditional three-point play from Bellarmine with 93 seconds left in the half gave the Knights their largest lead of the day at 34-25 before Graham scored five points in the final 29 seconds before the intermission to make it 34-30 after 20 minutes.
 
Picking up right where they left off in the first half with their defensive intensity and pressure, Jacksonville opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run, six of which came via Pierce, to briefly go back in front 38-36 before Bellarmine tied the game on the ensuing possession. A pair of three-pointers from Graham and Wilson bracketed a basket by the Knights and made it 46-42 at the 3:30 mark. The two sides would exchange baskets for the remainder of the quarter with JU leading 49-47 heading to the fourth.
 
The fourth quarter began with a scoreless drought of nearly two and a half minutes before Bellarmine finally broke the seal with a quick three points to go back in front by one. An 8-2 spurt from the Dolphins courtesy of Pierce and Tamia Stallings put the home team ahead once more at 56-52. A three from Edwards with 2:31 remaining made it a seven-point game before Bellarmine rattled off nine of the next 11 points to even things at 63. A go-ahead jumper from Graham with 52 seconds left was erased when the Knights hit a pair of free throws with 34 seconds to go. Tied at 65, the Dolphins had a chance to win with the last shot of regulation, but Edwards' driving layup was the recipient of an unfriendly bounce just before the horn.
 
Bellarmine controlled the tip to start the extra period and scored on their first two possessions to go in front by four before Pierce connected on another step-back jumper to get JU within two. Some tough bounces at the charity stripe resulted in a pair of missed free throws for the Dolphins, but with 56 seconds remaining, Graham knocked down a clutch pair to tie things once more at 71. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, Bellarmine connected on their final four attempts from the line and a pair of three-point attempts came up short, as the Dolphins came out on the wrong end of 75-71 final.
 
Graham finished the game 19 points on 7-13 shooting, including 3-6 from long range and recorded seven steals, the most by a JU player in a game this season. Pierce also finished with 19, setting a new career-high, on 8-11 shooting with four rebounds and two assists. Edwards posted a career-best 11-point effort along with five rebounds. Eight different players found their way into the scoring column for Jacksonville in the game. As a team, the Dolphins forced 21 turnovers and collected 15 steals, resulting in 13 fast break points.
 
The Dolphins and Knights will face off once more Sunday in a 1 PM tip-off from Swisher Gymnasium.