JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Dolphins (#4E) hosted the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (#5W) in round one of the ASUN Conference tournament tonight. They would come out on top by ten points, 65-55.
The Dolphins began the game well out in front, beginning the game with an eight to nothing run. JU would hold UCA to just two points in the entire first quarter, the lowest of the season. UCA would shoot just 7% from the field while JU shot a stellar 46% as the first quarter set the tone for the remainder of the half.
The Dolphins would outscore the Sugar Bears by five in the second quarter as KayKay Hayes would shine mightily alongside Jalisa Dunlap. Hayes would end the first half with nine points, four rebounds, and four blocks, getting back into her defensive groove displayed earlier in the season. Dunlap, recently named to the ASUN All-Freshmen team, scored seven of her own points while grabbing a steal in the process. The Dolphins' lead would grow to seventeen at the midway point, signaling a probable end to the Sugar Bears season.
The second half would be quite a different story, though the same outcome was produced. Although the Sugar Bears would outscore the Dolphins 41-34, the first-half deficit was one they could not come back from. UCA's ability to score nearly three times as much in the second half was answered by JU's ability to maintain their pace, as it was all they needed.
No matter the personnel or situation, the Dolphins continue to run a deep bench as Coach Haney emphasized how each player has each other's backs, especially when a teammate is in some foul trouble. "People step up and are ready to take the load when things may not be going well for somebody else. One thing we are going to harp on the rest of the tournament is having each other's backs."
JU now travels to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (#1W) in their second meeting of the season. JSU defeated JU 59-72 last time out and the Dolphins will look to stun the Gamecocks on their home court come Sunday, March 6th.
For more information on this and the rest of the Dolphins team, continue to check back with JUDolphins.com. Keep up with Jacksonville University women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@JAX_WBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2021-22 season.
