The past week was one of the Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball team's most challenging of the season. Following a seven-game winning streak, JU faced the FGCU Eagles and cross-town rivals North Florida Ospreys. 

The games were defined by how the Dolphins (13-9, 7-3) played from one half to the next. In the first half of Wednesday's contest against the Eagles, the Dolphins shot 20-35 from the field and scored a season-best 49 points in the first half.   

The Dolphins also started hot from behind the arc, with senior forward Zimi Nwokeji shooting 6-6 from the field and 3-3 from deep in the first half.  

Nwokeji has been on fire in recent weeks. In the last two games, Nwokeji averaged 20 points, shot 56% from the field and 54% from three. In addition, Nwokeji grabbed 12 boards and three blocks, averaging only one foul and one turnover per game.   

Jacksonville grabbed its largest lead of the night against FGCU at 24 points. From the 18-minute mark on, FGCU shot 64.3% from the floor and 75% from deep, making six out of eight long ball attempts.  

JU didn't go away, however, as the Dolphins shot 40% from the field and 50% from deep. It wasn't enough though, as FGCU escaped Jacksonville with a 83-79 win and handed Jacksonville its first loss since Jan. 2.  

Then came the River City Rumble and one of JU's biggest games and home environments of the season. UNF started out shooting 50% from the floor and 52% from three to take the early lead in the rivalry clash. It was UNF's best first half in conference play, scoring 49 and outrebounding JU.  

Then everything switched.  

Jacksonville scored 50 points in the second half, outrebounded UNF 25-17 to win the rebounding battle 41-36 for the game and the Dolphins had four fewer turnovers.  

JU relied on junior guard Robert McCray V, who took a career-high 31 shots. McCray posted a strong stat line in the contest: 26 points, eight rebounds (tying a career-high), six assists and two steals.    

Despite McCray's efforts and an excellent second-half display, the Ospreys won this year's first River City Rumble matchup 82-79.  Though Jacksonville fell twice this week, the Dolphins are embracing the adversity and preparing to get back in the win column. 

Jacksonville head coach Jordan Mincy was honest when discussing the loss to UNF. He said that the team, "didn't win practice this week. So, it's hard to win games."  

Graduate student guard Jakari Spence added that, "nobody likes a loss" and emphasized that the coaching staff told the players to block out the noise and distractions by, "putting curtains up."  

Spence said the team feels confident heading to Stetson on Tuesday because of their success on the road this season -- JU is 4-0 away from home in ASUN play this year. He also said the Dolphins have confidence no matter where they are playing.  

"It's a fight every day, and I'm ready for the fight," Spence said.   

JU enters the new week in a four-way tie for second in the conference alongside North Alabama, Queens and Lipscomb. The season is far from over for the 'Phins. JU still has eight conference games remaining, five away from and three in Swisher Gymnasium. And the Dolphins will also get their chance to get back against the Eagles and Ospreys. JU will head to FGCU on Feb. 18 and UNF on Feb. 20.