The Jacksonville women's basketball team raced past the Bellarmine Knights 91-83 in a Saturday afternoon conference clash. 91 points is JU's highest-scoring output since 2022 and the most points in conference play since 2020.

"We just keep making history," Jacksonville head coach Special Jennings said. "To score that many points against a team that played zone a majority of the game, it shows that we have the capability of scoring throughout the lineup."

The Dolphins (11-11, 5-5 ASUN) had all eight players who saw the floor score six or more points. Senior guard Edyn Battle led the way with 23 points.

The first half was an offensive explosion. The teams traded baskets at breakneck pace, with the Knights taking a 17-14 lead with 2:30 left in the quarter. That's when JU finally broke through. Freshman forward Mariah Knight, playing in her hometown, scored a basket to start a 10-2 Jacksonville run.

With under a minute to play in the period, freshman guard Comari Mitchell drilled a contested two-pointer, and the Dolphins took a 26-22 lead into the second quarter.

Jacksonville held a decisive advantage on the inside, but Bellarmine's lights out three-point shooting kept the game at a near stalemate through the first half. As Jacksonville grabbed offensive board after offensive board and continued to get to the charity stripe, the Knights had an answer from long range. 

Bellarmine retook the lead in the final minute of the second quarter, but senior guard Priscilla Williams immediately answered with a triple. Battle added a quick pull-up jumper to give JU a 50-46 lead at the break.

The third quarter was a dramatic shift in energy. The pace slowed down and defense became the name of the game. The Dolphins drove that change, shutting down the Knights from behind the arc.

With a six point lead heading into the final stanza, Jacksonville looked to close out its second road win in ASUN play this season. Bellarmine opted for a full-court press defensively. After a few possessions, the Dolphins found answers an answer and exploded for their most prolific quarter of the game.

Battle and sophomore guard Sana'a Garrett ripped through the defense with their ball handling, while Jacksonville routinely swung the ball to an open player for a bucket. Even when JU missed, sophomore guard Saniyah Craig was there for the rebound, finishing with 15 for the game.

As the Knights threatened a late run with an occasional basket, the Jacksonville offense answered any attempt and held off the hosts for the victory.

Game Notes

• The last time Jacksonville scored 90 or more points in an ASUN game was a 93-83 win over Kennesaw State on Jan. 25, 2020.
• The Dolphins dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 56-37.
• Battle (23 points), Williams (16 points) and Craig (14 points) all finished in double figures.
• Craig has recorded nine double-doubles and grabbed 15-plus rebounds seven times this season.
• Knights scored a career-high nine points on 3-6 shooting in her return to Louisville.

Head Coach Special Jennings
"When everybody's healthy and we can get our rotations right, it looks great. Chemistry is everything, and that chemistry is starting to gel again. I look forward to getting better, especially on defense. Bellarmine had a player that shot the cover of the ball, and i was proud of our efforts to limit her to one three in the second half."

Up Next
The Dolphins will return to Swisher Gymnasium when they host the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears on Thursday, Feb. 6. Tip off is set for 6:30 PM.