RICHMOND, KY -- The Jacksonville Dolphins (9-7, 3-1) came out on top in the second leg of their Kentucky road trip, coming back against Eastern Kentucky to win 82-75.

JU battled back from a single-point halftime deficit and a Colonels' lead that was as large as eight to pull out the win. Jacksonville's pair of road conference victories were its first pair of wins in two different cities since defeating Lipscomb and Kennesaw State on the road in 2020. 

The Dolphins found scoring from all over with five different players finding themselves in double-digits.

Robert McCray V, battling through early foul trouble and a nose injury, led the team with 19 points on 8-13 shooting. Kendall Munson put up 15 points and seven boards. Zimi Nwokeji added 13 and six rebounds while the sharpshooting freshman Chris Arias connected on four 3-pointers to post 12 points.

Point guard Jakari Spence, who played 33 minutes, scored 10 points and dished out a team-high five assists to go along with five rebounds.

It was the first time since the Mercer game that Jacksonville saw its team post five double-digit scorers. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Jacksonville and EKU battled back and forth for most of the first half as both teams exchanged leads throughout the period. 

The game was tied nine different times and there were 12 total lead changes in the first 20 but it was EKU who took the halftime lead, 39-38, behind a pair of late free throws. 

To open the second half, Nwokeji connected on a trio of three pointers to take the lead back. After Zach Bell put his team down just 50-49, EKU went on a 7-0 run to push JU down by eight. 

With 8:16 to go, EKU clung to a five-point lead but with about six minutes to play, Jacksonville caught fire.

Bell threw down a commanding dunk to put his team within two and then Arias hit one of two late triples to tie the game at 65. Arias' second deep ball gave his team a one-point lead, but EKU still battled back.

McCray, playing with four fouls and a hurt nose, buried back-to-back jumpers which then led to McCray hitting nothing but nylon on a triple. McCray's deep ball gave the 'Phins a 75-72 lead.

Payne threw one a two-handed jam to go up by five with 56 seconds to go which kept the game just out of reach for EKU. Free throw makes down the stretch by Spence and McCray solidified the game and the win.

Jacksonville won the rebounding battle yet again, this time 41-34. Payne led the team with nine boards.

After hitting 11 triples against Bellarmine, JU hit eight against the Colonels. Arias was tops on the team with four makes from deep. McCray hit one 3-pointer, but his one make helped secure a hard-earned victory.

Defensively, Nwokeji was a monster around the glass swatting away five balls. His five blocks set a new career high. Payne added two blocks of his own.

For the game, the Dolphins shot a hefty 47.5% from the field while holding EKU to 35.6% from the floor. 

COACH'S COMMENTS

Game Notes

• The Dolphins shot well from three point range, knocking down eight of 17 long range attempts.
• Jacksonville's bench came alive by adding 30 points to its scoring output.
• The Dolphins were active in impacting shots around the rim, recording eight blocks as a team.
• Jacksonville cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
• After not winning a road conference game last season, JU is undefeated (2-0) in road contests this season.

NEXT UP
The Dolphins return home from the Bluegrass state to Jacksonville for a pair of conference contests, starting with North Alabama. UNA comes to Swisher Gym on Thursday, Jan. 16 for a 7 p.m. tip. Central Arkansas follows on Saturday, Jan. 18 for a 3 p.m. tip.