The Jacksonville men's basketball team (15-9, 9-3) got back on track with conference wins against Stetson and Bellarmine last week.  

On Thursday, the Dolphins collected a crucial conference victory against Stetson in DeLand, playing without ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Robert McCray V. 

In McCray's absence, Jacksonville turned to freshman guard Chris Arias in the starting lineup.   

When asked about the transition to the starting five Arias calmly stated, "It's just like coming off the bench." He added that it's just about being able to "play your game."   

The talented freshman from Jacksonville averaged 11.5 points on 7-19 shots from the field, adding five rebounds and three assists combined against Stetson and Bellarmine, both starts. The sharpshooter is connecting on 41.6% from deep this season, a much-appreciated long-ball threat for head coach Jordan Mincy. 

JU got production from all over the lineup in its recent two game stretch, especially from starting forwards Kendall Munson and Stephon Payne III.

Against Stetson, Munson led all scorers with 23 points, a new career high, and added seven rebounds and three assists.  

Payne recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The talented front court combined for 37 points, 21 rebounds and six assists in DeLand.  

Jacksonville led for most of Thursday's game despite a significant free-throw disadvantage. The Dolphins scored five points from the stripe on eight attempts. However, Stetson went 18-23.  

Mincy said the team is getting into foul trouble and putting teams in the bonus, "so early"  in games. He explained that his team needs to be able to, "guard without fouling; it puts so much pressure on our defense." 

Despite the disparity at the charity stripe, the Dolphins won and looked to complete the season sweep against Bellarmine. 

Jacksonville started hot in the paint against the Knights, a consistent theme from both games. JU scored 10 points in the paint before the first media timeout with Payne going a perfect 4-4 down low.  

The Dolphins led by as many as 12 in the first half. Jacksonville shot 14-23 from the floor, making four of its seven deep ball attempts. However, Bellarmine also shot the ball well and kept the game close. 

When asked what the message to the team was at halftime, up just 35-32, Mincy stated that it got, "intense." He told his team that they, "were not playing at the standard." He explained that Bellarmine's, "physicality took them out on both sides of the ball."  

As well as Jacksonville played offensively, both games were close and competitive in the final minutes. Jacksonville led by over a dozen for most of the second half in Deland, however the Hatters closed the gap within two possessions after the under-four media timeout.  

Around the same time in the Bellarmine game, the Dolphins only led by four.  

The Dolphins were able to stave off late comebacks by deploying its lockdown defense. The Jacksonville defense is 86th in the KenPom defensive efficiency rating, which is also the highest rating of any ASUN team. JU's defense is first in the ASUN regarding points allowed during conference play.  

Two weeks ago against FGCU and UNF, both games got close toward the end with JU surging against the Ospreys and the Eagles second-half comeback. While JU didn't close those two games, it was a different story in the last two games.

The Dolphins made three shots after Stetson cut the lead to six around the three-minute mark. The 'Phins went 2-2 from the stripe to close out the Hatters. Jacksonville had a similar result against Bellarmine, making two of its last three shots and 8-10 free throws in the final two minutes.  

At current, Jacksonville is tied for first place in the ASUN. The Dolphins will take their show on a road trip this week, playing at Central Arkansas on Thursday and North Alabama on Saturday. Six games remain in conference play before the tournament, and a lot can happen.  

Jacksonville clinched its spot in the ASUN tournament, and to Mincy it, "feels much better than last season," when Jacksonville's postseason fate came down to the last game of conference play.