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Jacksonville University

JU MBB v. UWG 01/23/25
79
Winner Jacksonville JVille 12-7,6-1 ASUN
62
West Ga. UWG 3-17,1-6 ASUN
Winner
Jacksonville JVille
12-7,6-1 ASUN
79
Final
62
West Ga. UWG
3-17,1-6 ASUN
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Jacksonville JVille 45 34 79
West Ga. UWG 34 28 62

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Dolphins Share the Love in Win Over West Georgia

CARROLLTON, GA – The Jacksonville Dolphins assisted on 23 of their 27 made shots from the field in a 79-62 victory over West Georgia.

It was the first ever meeting between the two schools and Jacksonville (12-7, 6-1) led the entire way. JU scored 45 in the first half, a season-high, en route to the team's sixth consecutive win.

The win marks JU's longest win streak since the start of the 2010-11 season and its longest conference win streak since the back half of the 2009-10 season. The '09-'10 team also won the conference championship, the last such Dolphin team to do so, providing a good omen over this year's roster.

Zach Bell was tied for a game-high in scoring with 19 points, doubling as a season-high and just two points shy of tying his career high. Bell connected on five shots from deep which was half of JU's 3-point total. In terms of sharing the rock, Jakari Spence put up a game-high nine assists. Spence's assist total tied his career high.

Robert McCray V also scored 19 of his own. The junior dished out seven assists. Between McCray and Spence, the JU duo put up more assists than Jacksonville allowed all night from UWG (12).

The Jacksonville defense certainly traveled up to West Georgia as the Wolves were held to just 3-18 shooting from deep. JU held UWG to 62 points which was the third consecutive game the 'Phins have held a conference opponent to 62 points or less. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

Jacksonville took an early lead behind four straight points from Zimi Nwokeji and never looked back. UWG got the game to as close as a single free throw by the 11-minute mark of the first half but never found the lead. A Bell make from beyond the mark sent JU, clad in their new grey uniforms, into the half up 11 points.

In the second half, JU ballooned its lead to as high as 20 points.

As the team has done now six times in conference play, JU won the rebounding battle. The visitors edged UWG 36-33 in rebounding including a 13-8 lead on the offensive glass.

Spence led the team with seven rebounds, followed by six from Stephon Payne III.

Payne put up a nice 14-point effort to go along with his six boards. The big man also added two steals and one of the team's two blocks.

Off the bench, Kendall Munson was a force, playing the team's third highest minute total (25). Munson collected five rebounds and eight points. Munson's eight were over half of the team's 15 bench points. 

As a team, Jacksonville took care of the ball. JU had just nine turnovers compared to West Georgia's 14. Jacksonville turned those turnovers into 20 points.

Jacksonville's win moved the Dolphins into a two-way tie for first place in the ASUN, tied with FGCU. 

COACH'S COMMENTS
 

GAME NOTES

  • The Dolphins shot well from three point range, knocking down 10 of 24 long range attempts (41.7%).
  • JU recorded an assist on 85% of made baskets.
  • The Jacksonville defense forced 14 turnovers.
  • JU had 30 points in the paint.
  • Spence logged 33 minutes, his fourth 30-plus minute game in JU's last five contests.
  • The Dolphins are now 1-0 in matchups against UWG.
  • Jacksonville is 3-0 in ASUN road games in 2025 after going winless last season.
 

NEXT UP
Jacksonville continues its road trip looking to win its four consecutive road conference game and seventh game in row. The Dolphins will travel to Charlotte to face Queens on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tipoff against the Royals is at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
 
 


 
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