JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University men's basketball team prevailed 72-63 over Charleston Southern on Saturday. The Dolphins weathered a late run by the Buccaneers and claimed their 19th consecutive home victory; and did so without leading scorer Kevion Nolan down the stretch, who fouled out with three minutes to play.

The game started with a Charleston Southern triple, but the Dolphins (6-3) quickly answered and scored the games next 14 points. The lead grew to as many as 16 in the first half after Dylan O'Hearn drilled a three-pointer with 10:16 left in the opening half.
 
The Bucs were able to rally, having taken advantage of Nolan picking up his second foul and sitting for much of the second part of the half. Claudelle Harris of Charleston Southern scored on a tough jumper and cut the deficit to four, with just less than three minutes in the half. From there, Nesmith broke down the defense and fed Omar Payne for an easy slam dunk. Jordan Davis followed with a driving layup to add more of a cushion to the Dolphins lead. The two sides hit a three-pointer each in the final 30 seconds, and the Dolphins went into the break up eight points.
 
The Dolphins started the second half hot offensively with Nolan and Jordan Davis scoring eight a piece in the first 14 minutes of the half. JU's lead extended to 18 with just over six minutes to play after Osayi Osifo split a pair of free throws.

The Bucs would not go away quietly though, and went on an 11-2 run to cut their deficit to single-digits, 67-58, with 3:35 left. Nolan then fouled out on the next defensive possession and the Dolphins had to finish the game without their leading scorer.
 
CSU had possession down five with 48 seconds on the clock. However the stout 'Phins defense drew an offensive foul and forced a much-needed turnover. In the ensuing possession, JU had three seconds on the shot clock when Nesmith fed a cutting Gyasi Powell who converted a layup and was fouled to push the lead to three possessions again. He missed the free throw, but grabbed his own miss, and ultimately iced the game.
 
UP NEXT
 
Jacksonville travels to Louisiana-Monroe for a matinee on Tuesday, with tip-off scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
 
COACH'S COMMENTS

 

NOTABLE NUMBERS
 

• Jacksonville made a season-high 10 three-pointers
• All nine players who appeared for the Dolphins scored at least two field goals
• Jordan Davis finished with a season-high three steals and now has eight total thefts in the two matchups against Charleston Southern the last two years
• Davis also had a season high 13 points
• Saturday's game was the fourth game with five or more assists for Kevion Nolan (6)