JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The clock was trickling down, just seconds and tenths of seconds showing on the scoreboard of Swisher Gymnasium. Facing a one-point deficit, the Jacksonville Dolphins turned to their newest star: freshman Tatum Brown.

Brown drove directly to the paint, floating the ball through contact and trickling it into the hoop for the score to secure a season-opening win for JU. Jacksonville (1-0) won 86-84 over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in overtime Monday night.

The Dolphins were led by Brown's 20 points, adding six steals on the defensive end as well. Brown's 20 points are the most by a JU freshman in her first college debut since Sherranda Reddick --- the program's all-time leading scorer --- in 2013.

"She hasn't even scratched the surface," head coach Special Jennings said. "She's going to grow and she's going to be elite for this program."

The Dolphins opened the game strong on offense, with newcomer Makiya Miller hitting a pair of early triples. Graduate student guard Priscilla Williams drove the bulk of the early scoring, finishing with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double to open the season.

A 10-2 run late in the first quarter gave Jacksonville the control early in the game. Williams hit a triple off an assist from Miller to put the Dolphins up 44-24 in the second quarter, their largest lead of the night.

The Buccaneers chipped away, though, and the lead was down to five at the end of the third quarter. In clutch time, Jacksonville turned to Brown to see out the game. She scored JU's first five points of the fourth quarter, giving the Dolphins a 64-57.

Charleston Southern erased the deficit to tie the game at 64, leading to a thrilling conclusion on the opening act of the season.

It looked like Brown would be the hero early, driving to the paint and cashing in an and-one opportunity to put the Dolphins in front 73-71 with 27 seconds to play. That hero moment would have to wait, though, as the Buccaneers answered with a layup 12 seconds later to send the game to overtime.

After Charleston Southern took the first lead in added time, Miller and sophomore Comari Mitchell each got on the scoresheet to tie things at 78. The tide once against shifted to Buccaneer waters as the visitors splashed home a shot to take an 83-80 lead with under a minute to play.

Brown scored a quick layup, and the Dolphin defense rallied to force a stop to get the ball back with 14 seconds to play. Miller drew a foul and tied the game at the charity stripe, but Charleston Southern would earn its own free throws soon after to re-take a one point lead.

However, the second free throw rattled off the rim and into the hands of senior Kali Howard. The Dolphins pushed the ball up the court quickly to Brown who punctuated her statement debut with a signature bucket in the dying moments of the game.

Coach's Comments
"We're figuring out how to win," Jennings said. "I'm proud of my team. They came out, they played hard, next woman up. We played together and as a unit, not a one person show. And these freshmen --- when the lights are on, they can play."

Game Notes

• JU's 42 free throw attempts are tied for the second most in a game in program history.
• The Dolphins have won their last five home openers.
• Four separate players scored in double-figures.
• This is the Dolphins first overtime win since 2020.

Up Next
Jacksonville will get another game on home turf in the opening week of the season, hosting the Florida Tech Panthers Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 PM.