JACKSONVILLE, FL --  The Jacksonville Dolphins completed the season sweep over Stetson with a 79-72 win Wednesday. 

The victory clinches JU (18-12, 12-6) the #4 seed in the ASUN Championship Tournament and a home playoff game against #5 Eastern Kentucky.

It's the second time in the Jordan Mincy era that Jacksonville is hosting a playoff game and the second straight year EKU and JU will meet in the tournament.

The Dolphins are heading to tournament play with their most wins in conference play since the 2010-11 season. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

Jacksonville never trailed against the Hatters en route to the team's second straight victory at home. 

Robert McCray V opened the game with a triple, part of his nine-point outing. McCray also dished out a game-high eight assists and added three steals.

Rebounding was the name of the game for Jacksonville as the Dolphins dominated the glass to the tune of a 40-26 win on the boards. Four of Jacksonville's five starters posted six or more rebounds.

Donovan Rivers grabbed six rebounds, senior Kendall Munson grabbed eight, senior Jakari Spence grabbed seven and Zach Bell grabbed six. Off the bench, Tito Deng added six rebounds as well.

The combined efforts of Rivers and Deng more than made up for yet another absence from Stephon Payne III. Rivers posted his ASUN season high in scoring with eight points. Deng added a career-high two steals and added five points. Deng's rebounds were also a season high.

Munson used his body to dominate Stetson all night, scoring a team-high 17 points. He went 6-10 from the field and swatted away one ball.

At halftime, Stetson did not record a single offensive rebound. By game's end, the Hatters had just five. JU allowed Stetson to tie the game just one time, but never lost balance or control and cruised their way into the postseason.

In the second half, Jacksonville had a lead as large as 48-32.

The 'Phins did a great job sharing the ball against Stetson, dishing out 19 total assists. Behind McCray's eight, Bell tossed seven finishing close to a triple-double (10 points, six rebounds, seven assists). 

Off the bench, Jacksonville native Chris Arias had a tremendous impact with his 14-point showing. Arias drained four 3-pointers, including back-to-back triples in the second half to stave off any sort of Stetson comeback. 
 
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Jacksonville celebrated Senior Night Wednesday, with three seniors being honored. Munson, Spence and Zimi Nwokeji all were honored as graduating players pregame.

Munson: Team-high 17 points, team-high six makes from the field, game-high eight rebounds, one block.
Spence: 11 points, 7-8 from the free throw line, seven rebounds, four assists and just one turnover.
Nwokeji: Five points with one make from downtown and two rebounds.
 
COACH'S COMMENTS




GAME NOTES

• Jacksonville recorded 19 total assists in the game to Stetson's eight.
• The Jacksonville bench came alive by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
• The Jacksonville defense forced 13 turnovers.
• Jacksonville cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
• The JU defense generated nine steals, led by three from McCray.

NEXT UP

The ASUN Tournament begins for Jacksonville on Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. on the Swisher Gymnasium floor against EKU. It will be the third game between the two schools this season, with JU sweeping the regular season. For a full look at the ASUN Tournament bracket and schedule, click HERE.