JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Dolphins (12-6) hosted Central Arkansas (8-11) in Swisher Gymnasium for their first recorded matchup in program history. In a game that UCA led for 97% of, JU came back and won on a buzzer beating layup by Taylor Hawks, 55-53.
JU started the first quarter struggling, jumping out to an early seven-point deficit that would hang over their head for the remainder of the quarter as they would only score nine points. The second quarter would bring out more offense for the Dolphins, but they could not make stops defensively as every point they scored would be matched by the Sugar Bears. The back-and-forth nature of the first half would place an obstacle in front of JU for the next twenty minutes.
Those next twenty minutes would be quite a story for JU, however, as it started with a positive third quarter. In that third, the Dolphins' energy was high as they came out of the quarter +2 in the point column and +1 in rebounds. The energy would transfer to the next ten minutes as they clawed back slowly but surely. Although stellar efforts from Taylor Hawks and DeShari Graham came throughout the entire game, it came down to the final four minutes. The Dolphins were able to stop all scoring efforts from UCA and go on a 12-0 run to complete their comeback.
No great comeback comes without its signature play. Big offensive plays from Da'Nasia Shaw in the final minutes and JU steals on back-to-back possessions would lead to a story-like sequence. KayKay Hayes and Carmella Walker would combine for two free game-tying throws before the final sixteen seconds. With UCA in possession, Taylor Hawks intercepted a pass and would call her play as time would run down. The "head coach of the court" drove down to the left side for a buzzer beating layup.
"Regardless of the situation, the score, or what is happening in the present moment...we are going to be relentless! At halftime, I told our group that our mental toughness didn't meet our standards. I'm very proud of our group for persevering and staying the course. We "finished stronger!"" said a proud Coach Haney following the win.
The Dolphins head back on the road to take on North Alabama (7-11) on Thursday, February 3rd at 6:30PM.
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