CONWAY, Ark. - The Jacksonville women's basketball team (6-14, 2-5) fell to Central Arkansas (15-6, 7-1) 58-71. Despite the loss, Dolphins' leading scorer Edyn Battle recorded her ninth 20-plus game with 25 points.

The Dolphins competed closely in the first three quarters against the number two team in the Atlantic Sun, Central Arkansas. In the first quarter, JU was able to secure an early 1-0 lead two minutes into play. After Central Arkansas outscored the green and white for the next five minutes, JU regained their second lead, 12-11, with 3:36 remaining. A significant shot by Jada Duckett solidified their second one-point lead. Edyn Battle led the way with 11 points in the first 10 minutes, concluding the first quarter with a score of 18-15 in favor of the Sugar Bears.

In the second quarter, the Dolphins' defense ramped up, converting 12 points off Central Arkansas turnovers. Opening the second period with the first basket by Saniyah Craig, JU got within two points (the Dolphins' closest disadvantage). The Bears went on to rewrite the score to 29-24 with 2:43 to go in the quarter. The green and white reduced the five-point lead to four, thanks to Zaria Blake responding with a successful free throw, narrowing the gap to 29-25 before the half.

The third quarter saw Jacksonville continuing to execute well. However, the Bears also performed equally well. Central Arkansas attempted to pull away, but the Dolphins stayed close in scoring. The margin stayed within three points four minutes into the second half, with Isamery Telleria, Craig, and Battle all keeping the night within striking distance.

The Bears then went on to slowly increase their lead, which proved to be too much for the Dolphins to handle. 

UP NEXT 

Dolphins travel west to face North Alabama Saturday, February 3. The game is set to begin at 6 p.m. 

NOTEABLE NUMBERS 

• Edyn Battle played 40 minutes; scored 25 points while adding two rebounds, 4-for-4 from the free throw line. 

• Saniyah Craig scored seven points and seven rebounds 

• Jada Duckett finished with eight points and six rebounds 

• Isamery Telleria added nine points and two rebounds