The Jacksonville women's basketball team fell to the Lipscomb Bisons 85-82 Thursday night. JU scored 80 points for the third time this season and scored its second most points in a game this year. 

The Dolphins (7-10, 1-4, ASUN) were led by senior guard Edyn Battle. She scored a season-high 31 points, her third 30-point game as a Dolphin and the fifth in program history. She also grabbed nine rebounds and dished three assists.

Neither offense found a rhythm in the early minutes. The Dolphins kept the Bisons under 30% from the field before the first quarter media timeout. Lipscomb found their form from behind the 3-point line, though, and took the first quarter lead.

However, Battle and freshman guard Comari Mitchell both kept Jacksonville in the hunt with timely buckets.

The Dolphins finally flipped the momentum late in the second quarter. Battle bullied her way to the mid post and hit back-to-back buckets to get Jacksonville on a roll. JU ended the first half on a 12-2 run to stay in striking distance at the break.

The Dolphins continued to chip away in the third quarter, outsourcing the Bisons 20-16 in the period. However, JU hadn't yet found the big run to close the gap.

Jacksonville found that run in the fourth quarter. Battle took over in isolation, scoring back-to-back mid-range buckets. On the ensuing possession, she rifled a pass to junior Julene Royale cutting to the hoop for a wide-open layup. 

Battle couldn't be contained, getting to the rack at will and pulling the Dolphins within five. 

Royale drove to the hoop and drew a foul. After splitting her free throws, Williams soared into the mix and won the offensive rebound. She got fouled on the way up and drained both attempts at the stripe to make it a two-point ball game with under a minute to play.

The Bisons tried to score a decisive bucket late, but Mitchell stood her ground and drew a charge to give Jacksonville the ball. On an inbound pass, Williams sprang open and drained a go-ahead triple.

Lipscomb responded with a pair of free throws to take the lead. Battle had a late heave from half-court to send the game to overtime, but it narrowly missed. 

Game Notes

• Battle has scored 20-plus points in each of her last four games.
• She was two points shy of her own school record of 33, set last season against FGCU.
• Sophomore forward Saniyah Craig recorder her second-straight double-double (12 points, 16 rebounds).
• Craig grabbed 15 or more rebounds for the fourth time this season and second time in conference play.
• Williams tied a season-high with 19 points, including a season-high three 3-pointers.
• Four Dolphins finished in double-figures: Battle, Williams, Craig and Mitchell (12 points).
• Jacksonville dominated in the paint, outscoring Lipscomb 48-32 inside.

Head Coach Special Jennings
"We have to stop digging holes. We're playing without two of our starters, but our offense figured it out, just too late. We have to figure it out early on, and we will."

Up Next
Jacksonville will complete its Tennessee two-step when it travels to face the Austin Peay Governors. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m.