JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Head Coach Special Jennings and the Jacksonville women's basketball team (6-16, 2-7) fell to Lipscomb (13-10, 6-4) in a game down to the wire. After nine lead changes, and the score knotted at 52-52 with just 30 seconds remaining, untimely scoring runs and controversial calls left JU with insufficient time to mount a comeback and secure a victory. 

Despite the defeat, the Dolphins achieved a season-high record for rebounds, grabbing a total of 48. Jalisa Dunlap made a notable impact scoring 8 points in just six minutes during the first half. Dunlap went on to score 14 points and maintained a flawless 100% shooting from the free-throw line. Saniyah Craig also delivered an impressive performance, collecting 13 rebounds, setting a new season high, while Zaria Blake grabbed seven rebounds, also achieving a season high. 

Early in the game, Zaria Blake's four rebounds, along with Edyn Battle's seven points in the first quarter and the scoring contributions from seven out of 10 Dolphins players, allowed JU to dominate the first quarter with a score of 19-13. The scoring began with a beautiful connection from leading scorer Battle to freshman forward Jada Jones, igniting the offense for the green and white. The lead fluctuated until Battle lasered a three-pointer at 6:46, maintaining JU's one-point advantage at 7-6. A subsequent three-pointer from Garrett extended their lead to 10-8. JU then went on a 6-2 run, forcing Head Coach Lauren Sumski to call a timeout. The Dolphins added three more points to conclude the quarter with a 19-13 lead. 

 As the game progressed, tough defense and spirited exchanges heightened the intensity in the gym, all while The Dolphins maintained solid performance. Five minutes into the second quarter, Kyshonna Brown caught a groove scoring four quick points, followed by a strong rebound put-back from Jada Jones, preserving JU's five-point lead at 25-20. The Dolphins, needing to continue production offensively, enjoyed a hot Jalisa Dunlap right off the bench, sank a three-pointer 28-26. Despite the Bison briefly taking their second lead, Dunlap swiftly responded with another three-pointer, ending the first half with the score at 31-30 in favor of the Dolphins. 

By the second half JU had been leading the game for 18 minuets. However, Lipscomb staged an 8-0 run to reclaim a 38-31 lead after the halftime mark. To halt the Bison's momentum, Blake, who continued to dominate the offensive glass, secured a crucial and-one put-back at 4:52. Following the big play, a pair of free-throws by Dunlap put the home team within two, 38-36 Bison. The two-point deficit persisted for two minutes until Battle found a familiar midrange jumper, scoring and tying the game at 38 with two minutes remaining in the period. However, Lipscomb surged ahead before the third quarter ended, leading 46-40.  

 JU demonstrated resilience in the final quarter, limiting Lipscomb to only three points in the first five minutes. Just when the Dolphins needed it most, Junior Isamery Telleria stepped up to the call. After a steal and 2-pt conversion by Dunlap to open the fourth quarter. The Dominican native got her group going with a pretty fade away jumper on the move. Telleria then came back down driving down a congested lane and with a Bison defender on her hip layed in left-handed finger-roll to boost the Dolphin offense. With 5:32 remaining, JU trailed by just one point at 49-48. Blake and Jones went on to knock down three clutch free-throws and reclaim a lead 51-50 at 3:59. After, Craig emphatically snagged a rebound while being fouled and split a pair at the line to rewrite the count 52-50 for JU. As the game continued, The Bison would tie the score again and take a late lead. Some controversial calls and plays not in favor of the Dolphins left the Bison pulling away securing the victory. 

UP NEXT 

The Dolphins hit the road again to face Austin Peay in Tennessee. The game is set for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10 and will broadcast on ESPN+. 

NOTEBALE NUMBERS 

• Zaria Blake went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line while scoring seven points and seven rebounds 

• Three Dolphins shot 100-percent from the free-throw line 

• Isamery Telleria scored eight points and added three rebounds 

• Dolphins shot 82.4-percent from the free-throw line as a team 

• JU bench outscored Bison bench 19-to-0