DELAND, Fla. – The Jacksonville University women's basketball team wrapped up regular season play today at Edmunds Center, squaring off once more against Stetson University. Despite leading for much of the contest the Dolphins (3-16, 1-13) were downed in overtime by the Hatters (9-12, 7-9) 68-64.
Things started off slow in the first quarter, with the two sides combining for 10 points in the first five minutes of action. Jacksonville controlled the tempo to start the day, outscoring the Hatters 19-10 in the first period of action.
Alexis Pierce and
MaKayla Edwards combined for a trio of three-pointers to help spur the JU offense in the early going.
The Dolphins continued their strong start into the second quarter, leading by as much as 15 with just over two minutes to play. Five different players scored in second stanza of the afternoon for JU, as they led 33-21 going into the half.
In the third quarter, Jacksonville continued to hold serve and maintain their lead, extending it to 16 at the 7:04 mark before Stetson began a slow climb back into contention. Neither side was able to string together extended scoring runs, a trend that developed in the first half of action and carried into the third quarter.
Shekinah Rachel hit a layup in the paint in the final minute of the period before Stetson scored before the buzzer to make it 44-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
The intensity picked up in the final 10 minutes of regulation, as the Hatters displayed a renewed vigor in an attempt to try and get back into the game. After trading baskets to begin the quarter, Edwards drained a three at the 7:50 mark to make it 50-40 JU. The Hatters just wouldn't go away, continuing to hang with the Dolphins and closing to within two with just over two minutes to play. Stetson retook the lead late, connecting on a three with 28 seconds to go to lead by one at 61-60. With seven seconds to go, Edwards drew a foul in the act of shooting and went to the stripe with a chance to win, but missed on the first free throw before hitting the second to force the game into overtime.
In the extra period, nearly two and a half minutes elapsed before either side scored. Pierce knocked down a clutch three at 2:44 to put JU back ahead, but the Dolphins went cold over the remainder of the extra period. The Hatters scored the final seven points of the game to go on to take the final game of the regular season 68-64.
Rachel posted her first career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Pierce, playing her final regular season game for the Dolphins finished with 14 points and five rebounds.
DeShari Graham played 40 of 45 minutes and scored 12 points and eight rebounds. Edwards carded a 10-point performance and finished two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight. Eight different players found their way into the scoring column for JU in a tightly officiated game that saw 46 personal fouls called, 28 of which were on Jacksonville.
Next up, the Dolphins will travel to Kennesaw State for the 2021 ASUN Women's Basketball Championship, playing Kennesaw State on Wednesday March 10 at 1 PM.
