JACKSONVILLE, FL --The Jacksonville women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with 80-59 victory over the Edward Waters Tigers at home Wednesday night.
The Dolphins (1-0) were led by Edyn Battle's 22 points. Makayla Edwards had a dominant night in the paint, setting career highs in points (19) and rebounds (13). Jada Duckett added 10 points and two steals from the bench.
Edwards pulled down five offensive rebounds as Jacksonville dominated the glass, grabbing 15 offensive boards and turning them into 18 second chance points.
The Dolphins defense held the Tigers to only 36.4 percent shooting from the field, including 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. Edward Waters struggled on the offensive glass as well, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and six second chance points while Jacksonville cleared 28 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-5, Jacksonville went on a 5-0 run with 4:59 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 10. Then Edward Waters pulled ahead, sending the Dolphins into the second quarter trailing 19-16.
Jacksonville started the second quarter on a 12-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Edwards, to take a 28-19 lead. The Tigers cut into that lead, but the Dolphins enjoyed a 38-30 lead at the break. Jacksonville dominated the paint, scoring 14 of its 22 points close to the basket.
The Dolphins held their lead in the second half and led 52-50 heading into the fourth quarter. They started to heat up from three as they knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter.
Jacksonville widened that lead in the final period with a 9-0 run, finished off by an Edwards' three to go up 65-52 with 5:56 to go. The Dolphins kept their foot on the gas and coasted to an 80-59 win. Jacksonville fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots from behind the arc.
Game Notes
» Makayla Edwards notched a double-double for the Dolphins with 19 points and 13 rebounds, both career highs.
» Edyn Battle led the Dolphins with a game-high 22 points.
» The Dolphins held the Tigers to only 36.4 percent shooting from the field and 17 percent behind the arc.
» The Jacksonville defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Jacksonville never trailed in the second half.
» The Jacksonville bench made an impact with 24 points.
» Jacksonville had a 43-29 edge on the glass in the win.
» Jacksonville cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
Head Coach Special Jennings
"Any time you have a team with seven new players, chemistry and ironing some things out; playing against another team obviously it's different than playing in practice against each other. Edward Waters, they're a great team. That new coach, he did a phenomenal job, they played extremely hard. We knew they weren't gonna come in here and lay down. It's a cross-town team, they had great energy. I was happy we were able to figure it out and put it away."
Next Up
The Dolphins will prepare to travel south and face the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11.
