JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville Women's Basketball team (1-0) open their 2023-24 season with a 66-47 dominating win against Warner University Tuesday night in Swisher Gymnasium. 

A slow start to the night didn't deter the Dolphins from winning big against the smaller foe Warner. The Dolphins began by taking their chances from the charity stripe in the first three minutes of the opening quarter. However, after receiving some constructive guidance from the new Head Coach Special Jennings, the Dolphins turned up the defensive intensity, leading to the start of the scoring battle. Edyn Battle and MaKayla Edwards, after forcing three Warner turnovers through their scrappy play, sparked a 6-0 run to open the quarter. The Dolphins continued to pressure Warner, forcing turnovers that led to Head Coach Nikki Jessee using a timeout with 6:30 left in the first. As the game continued, Warner countered with a 5-0 run, narrowing the JU lead to just one point late in the first with 3:30 to play. However, before the quarter could finish, Kyshonna Brown managed to score, giving JU a 10-9 lead that they never let go. 

In the second quarter, Jacksonville product Jada Jones started strong, drawing a foul and converting two free-throws. Following Jones's strong play, the Dolphins' performance began to surge with high-low actions, leading to JU scoring 12 points in the first four minutes of the second quarter. After Warner's attempt to battle back, the Dolphins went on another 10-0 run, led by returner Edwards and newcomer Battle. The Dolphins finished the half by capitalizing on two steals by Edwards and Battle, giving JU a 12-point lead. 

Having finished the first half on a high note, the Dolphins opened the third quarter by executing a perfectly called set by Jennings. This ended with a wide-open Jalisa Dunlap sinking her first three-pointer of the year. Dunlap returned to JU after finishing the 2022-23 season as a 30.6% three-point shooter. Her big field goal transitioned to Battle breaking down the top of the Royal zone defense, adding to the run. With 4:33 left in the third, Dunlap, ignited by a veracious block, pushed the ball coast-to-coast and euro-stepped past a Warner defender to score for the Dolphins, building an 18-point lead. The momentum JU was building led to a concluding quarter with freshman Sana'a Garrett swiping two steals from the Warner offense. 

A scoreless minute at the beginning of the fourth was broken with another steal by Battle, leading to a fastbreak open-court and-one that sent the Dolphin bench roaring. Freshman Jones, with a Warner defender on her back, kept the momentum alive with a strong baseline and-one of her own, starting what would be another 6-0 run for JU. Center Saniyah Craig then got Isamery Telleria involved as she found her open for a three-pointer that really put the Royals away. With no remorse, Dolphins guard Garrett surprised Warner with another steal and score, giving the Dolphins a 21-point advantage, their highest of the night. With three minutes left in the fourth, JU gave freshman and Duval native Asiana Britt her first minutes as a Dolphin. She was met by Jacksonville native Jones, as they presented Swisher Gymnasium with their first look at the Jacksonville guard and center duo. The two contributed to controlling the win for the Dolphins, as they concluded the night with a 66-47 victory. 

COACH'S COMMENTS 

UP NEXT 

The Dolphins will return to tip-off against Miami in Miami, Florida Thursday, November 9. The game is set to begin at 11 a.m. and will be televised on ACCNX. 

NOTABLE NUMBERS 

• Makayla Edwards finished with 14 points and nine rebounds 

• Edyn Battle finished with 14 points on the night 

• Sana'a Garrett finished with four steals  

• Dolphins went 15-19 from the free-throw line