JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- To open ASUN play, the Jacksonville Dolphins came up just short to Lipscomb, 70-65. 

The Dolphins (6-7, 0-1) battled back from a 14-point deficit to get the ballgame within two points with five minutes left to play, consistently keeping the game within a single score margin, but weren't' able to completely close the gap.

ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Robert McCray V led the game in scoring with 22 points on 8-15 shooting. McCray hit two of the team's six shots from range and went a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Lipscomb jumped out to an early lead and kept the pressure on JU all through the first half. With under a minute to play in the opening half, Lipscomb led 38-24. Jacksonville had just one lead all game, a 4-2 margin, after the first three minutes of play.

In the second half, the Dolphins started to click offensively, sparked on by a three-pointer from freshman Enrico Borio. Borio's triple at the 12:29 mark got JU within seven points and brought forth a raucous crowd environment down the stretch. 

With about six minutes to play, McCray hit a jumper followed by a Lipscomb turnover. The junior then turned around a cashed in a 3-pointer to put the home team within five. 

McCray threw home a one-handed slam with under five to play to bring Swisher Gymnasium to a fever pitch and the 'Phins within two points. 

McCray was joined in scoring by Jakari Spence, who had 14, while tying his career-high in minutes played (37). Spence went 6-14 and added a team-high four assists. 

Jacksonville lost the rebounding battle by just a single board (24-23). Kendall Munson did work on the glass for JU however, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Munson's nine boards were the second time this season the senior forward has come a single rebound shy of double-digits. 

Borio was third on the team in scoring with six points, going a perfect 2-2 from range. Zach Bell and Chris Arias each added five points. Bell led the team with five steals.

Overall, JU had a solid night from the field. The Dolphins shot 49% in total with a 40% shooting clip from beyond the arc. Lipscomb narrowly edged the Dolphins in terms of shooting, tallying a 56.4% number from the field and a 46.7% number from deep.

COACH'S COMMENTS

GAME NOTES

• The Dolphins shot well from three point range, knocking down six of 15 long range attempts.
• The Jacksonville defense forced 16 turnovers.
• JU collected 10 offensive boards.

NEXT UP
The Dolphins continue their season-opening weekend with a home stand against Austin Peay Saturday, Jan. 4. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.