The Jacksonville University women's basketball team defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles 56-51 Thursday night in a non-conference road clash.

The Dolphins (6-3) were led by senior guard Edyn Battle, who scored 22 points on 8-17 shooting. She scored two huge buckets in the fourth quarter, both to take the lead, as Jacksonville held on for its second road win of the season.

The Dolphins took the lead early in the first quarter thanks to a 9-0 run. The Eagles answered with a 7-0 run of their own, however, and Jacksonville led by two at the quarter break. Coming into the second period, the Dolphins exploded.

Jacksonville found its groove on offense, led by Battle and sophomore guard Bailey Burns. Burns added shooting from behind the arc and touch around the rim, scoring a season-high eight points in the second quarter alone.

Battle stepped into a triple to give the Dolphins a double-digit advantage, and Jacksonville outscored Georgia Southern by 17 points in the second quarter. The Dolphins scored 22 points in the paint and shot 3-4 from deep to dominate the first half.

The Eagles defense tightened up in the third quarter and allowed the hosts to get back into the game. Georgia Southern's momentum continued into the fourth quarter, and the hosts took their first lead of the night halfway through the final period.

Senior forward Makayla Edwards answered for the Dolphins. She scored Jacksonville's first two buckets of the fourth quarter to keep the game tied. The Dolphins rode that momentum in the final moments.

Battle put Jacksonville back in front with a tough bucket on the baseline. When Georgia Southern retook the lead, Battle answered with a gritty and-one to give the Dolphins a two-point advantage.

After free throws on both ends, Jacksonville led by three with under twenty seconds left. Senior guard Priscilla Williams delivered when the Dolphins needed it most, blocking a three-point attempt to ice the game.

Game Notes

• Battle scored 22 points in the win, her fifth game with 20-plus points this season.
• Williams recorded at least one stat in all five major categories: eight points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and three blocks.
• Williams' three blocks are the most by a Jacksonville player this season.
• Burns set a new career-high with seven points.

Head Coach Special Jennings
"We have to continue to work on things and figure out how to play for 40 minutes. A win is a win, and we were able to figure it out. But we have to work to be better."

Next Up
The Dolphins will stay on the road as they get set to face another Sun Belt opponent, the Marshall Thundering Herd at 11 a.m., Friday Dec. 13. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.