CONWAY, Ark. – Despite a 15-point lead and a 10-point halftime advantage, the Jacksonville Dolphins couldn't hang on for the whole game and fell at Central Arkansas, 62-60.

Saturday evening's loss in Arkansas marked the first loss ever to the Bears in seven games. It also moved Jacksonville to 6-12 overall and 1-4 in the ASUN. The 'Phins have yet to win a road conference game prior to Saturday's tilt at North Alabama.

It was none other than Arkansas native Hayden Wood who led the way for Jacksonville against the Bears, dropping a team-high 18 points. Wood started the game 3-3 from deep, igniting a fire not only on the JU bench but from the Wood family contingency who traveled down from Springdale, Ark. to see the freshman perform.

Wood was no stranger to the Farris Center, competing in the gym during his youth days in camps, and it certainly felt like it. After he stroked in a pair of triples, Wood deflated what once was a 7-2 UCA lead into an 11-11 tie.

Jacksonville didn't trail for the duration of the first half, going into the break, up 35-25. En route to the halftime score, Jacksonville went 8-8 from the charity stripe over almost 19 whole minutes.

In the second half, Jacksonville turned on the gas even hotter, jumping out to a 15-point lead with just under 15 minutes to play. However, after Evan Sterck's make at the 14:47 mark, the 'Phins made just four shots from the field.

Central Arkansas tied the game with under six minutes to play, but Jacksonville still was within closing distance. Donovan Rivers slammed one home to tie the game at 57 with under three minutes to play. With 28 seconds to go, Wood was even fouled on a 3-point attempt, looking to close a 60-57 gap. The freshman Wood made just one at the line.

Jason Thirdkill Jr. put in a missed 3-pointer with seven ticks remaining to give JU a 61-60 deficit. With about four seconds to play, Jacksonville got the ball under the opposing basket and gave Sterck a chance to drain a triple to win, that fell off the rim.

Sterck was the hot hand to give a late triple to, as the freshman knocked down a pair of deep balls throughout the game as time expired on the clock and as well as a deep two-pointer. Sterck finished second on the team with 12 points.

Chris Lockett Jr. was the team's only other double-digit scorer, notching 11 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting from the charity stripe.

Down low, Thirdkill led the team in rebounding with eight. Both Sterck and Wood hauled in six, as did Rivers. JU narrowly won the rebounding battle 39-37 overall.

Jacksonville played a clean game of basketball, only turning the ball over six times after just five turnovers against UWG the week prior. Jacksonville also amassed eight steals and turned UCA over 10 times. 

Central Arkansas' two leading scorers were each held under their season averages in points per game, part of a JU defense that held UCA to its lowest first half point total in ASUN play.

The loss moved JU to a tie with UNA, UNF and FGCU at a 1-4 standing in conference play. 

Jacksonville's road trip out west continues with a stop in Florence, Ala. Saturday afternoon as the 'Phins take on rival North Alabama. The Lions will be coming off a home loss to UNF, handing the Ospreys' their first ASUN win. UNA also gave up the most points it had all season when UNF came to town at 105.

Tipoff against UNA is set for 3 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and via radio on 1010XL/92.5 FM.