JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville University women's basketball team dominated Queens in their second victory over the visiting team this season. JU maintained a 58 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc for the first three quarters, enabling them to maintain momentum and take the 79-66 victory securing a spot in the postseason Atlantic Sun tournament.

Four Dolphins finished in double figures in the game as Sana'a Garrett, showcased a renewed role as both a facilitator and scoring guard, tallying a season-high 16 points, along with eight rebounds and three assists. Edyn Battle, despite a slow start in the first half with eight points, found her rhythm in the second half, concluding the game with 24 points, five rebounds, and a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. A dominant performance from Saniyah Craig, who recorded 13 points and nine rebounds, fell just short of what would have been the freshman's sixth double-double this season.

In the closing moments of the game, Jalisa Dunlap achieved double-digit scoring, finishing with 11 points, two assists, and two steals. Dunlap also maintained a perfect 100-percent shooting record from the free-throw line, marking her fifth consecutive game without a miss from the charity stripe. 

In the early stages, the game showcased back-and-forth scoring, leading to two quick lead changes. The Dolphins seized control, establishing a 7-5 lead at 6:21 and never relinquished it for the remainder of the night. Saniyah Craig initiated the scoring for the green and white, contributing six of the Dolphins' 18 first-quarter points. Zaria Blake, Edyn Battle, and Sana'a Garrett also chipped in, helping the home team embark on an 11-9 run for the opening quarter. 

During the second and third quarters, the Dolphins intensified their scoring efforts, combining for 47 points over 20 minutes with an impressive free-throw shooting performance by Blake and Dunlap, hitting 7-of-8, along with two of Garrett's four three-pointers, and a crucial buzzer-beating three-pointer from Battle propelled the Dolphins to a 41-32 lead by halftime. 

Sophomore Julene Royale, shooting at a remarkable 63-percent accuracy from behind the arc in the last five games, ignited the third quarter scoring with back-to-back three-pointers, extending JU's lead to 15 with 8:26 remaining. The following three minutes saw a scoreless spell from both teams until Sana'a contributed to the Dolphins' prolific three-point shooting display, sinking a trey at 3:53, bringing the team's total to 7-for-12 from beyond the arc for the game. 

The final quarter saw the Dolphins controlling the game with a 20-point advantage. Edyn Battle went on a tear, scoring eight straight points for the home team, effectively wearing down Queens and extinguishing any hope of a comeback. 

UP NEXT 
Today marked the Dolphins' final home game for the 2023-24 season. JU will hit the road to face Stetson on Thursday, February 29. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. 

NOTEABLE NUMBERS 

• Edyn Battle shot 11-17 from the free-throw line, one make away from tying her season high and setting a record for free-throw attempts in a game.

• Sana'a Garrett went 5-7 from the field.

• Zaria Blake had eight points and six rebounds.

• The Dolphins finished the game shooting 7-15 from three, their third-highest of the year.

• The Dolphins led the game for 39 minutes.

• JU's largest lead was by 24 points.