JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- For the final time in 2025, the Jacksonville Dolphins took the floor in Swisher Gymnasium. After nearly a month away from Duval County, it didn't take long for JU to find home cooking, defeating Bethune-Cookman 95-53 Tuesday night to close out the non-conference season.

The Dolphins (8-3) scored the most points of the Special Jennings era and the most points against a Division 1 opponent since defeating Charleston Southern 105-66 on Nov. 13, 2006.

No one player stole the show, with the whole team contributing to a historic night of offense. Three players scored in double figures and 12 different players scored multiple baskets. 

"We just played the way we practiced," head coach Special Jennings said. "This was a complete game: 52 points in the paint, 54 bench points, everyone contributed."

From the late first quarter on, it was all Jacksonville Tuesday night. The Wildcats hit a three to make the game 9-8 JU, and that was the last time the game would be within a single possession.

Junior Carmaya Bowman got to the hoop for a layup, the sophomore Mariah Knight drove inside to earn a trip to the free-throw line, hitting both shots. Bethune-Cookman hit a free throw to stop the bleeding, but sophomore Mychal White answered with five-straight points to put the Wildcats away.

In all, the Dolphins raced off a 15-4 run at the end of the first quarter to take a commanding 12-point lead into the first quarter break. 

The momentum carried into the second quarter, with graduate student Priscilla Williams and senior Kali Howard each scoring a pair of early buckets. Jacksonville dominated at the free-throw line in the second frame, hitting all 11 attempts from the charity stripe in the period.

The Dolphins two-way dominance propelled JU to a dominant 54-24 lead at the half. The second quarter was among Jacksonville's most dominant stretches of the season, outsourcing Bethune-Cookman 30-12 in the period.

Bowman led the way in the third with six points, as Jacksonville kept its foot on the gas through the second half. The Wildcats showed some signs of life on offense, but the Dolphins kept a healthy 37-point lead into the final period.

Knight, White and freshman Kimora Hester all got to the hoop in the fourth as Jacksonville finished in style with a 42-point victory.

Game Notes

• JU's 42-point win is the largest margin of victory under Jennings.
• Jacksonville's 17 assists are the second-most in a game this season. Twelve turnovers are a season low.
• JU finished 28-32 from the free throw line, good for 87.5%, tied for the sixth best mark in a game in program history for makes and percentage.

Coach's Comments
"Our team is resilient," head coach Special Jennings said. "I've said it countless times, but we've had some young ladies out, we haven't been full strength, and it's just been the next woman up mentality. We've got a great group of young ladies, they play for each other and they're selfless. I;m excited to see what we can do in the conference."

Up Next
The Dolphins will open the Atlantic Sun Conference season on New Year's Day against the Austin Peay Governors. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 PM at Swisher Gymnasium.