JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Dolphins (7-12, 2-4 ASUN) men's basketball team continues ASUN play with a two-game home stand, hosting Bellarmine on Thursday and Eastern Kentucky on Saturday inside Swisher Gymnasium. The Dolphins return home eager to build on their recent momentum as conference play heats up.
The Dolphins picked up their first ASUN road victory of the season last Saturday, cruising past North Alabama 90-68. Freshman guard Hayden Wood starred for the second straight game, tallying a career-high 25 points while sinking six-of-seven from beyond the arc. Strong bench contributions, dominant interior scoring and a commanding rebounding advantage fueled Jacksonville's convincing win, as the Dolphins maintained their reputation for controlling the glass and stifling opponents in conference play.
Jacksonville Men's Basketball vs Bellarmine
Thursday, January 22nd | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ | 1010XL
About The Knights
Bellarmine (6-12, 1-5 ASUN) enters its second straight weekend on the road after going 0-2 last week against Lipscomb and EKU. In conference play, the Knights rank 10th in total offense and 11th in total defense across the ASUN. Despite their struggles, Bellarmine leads the conference with a 50.4% field goal percentage- the only ASUN team shooting above 50% this season.
Jack Karasinski anchors Bellarmine's lineup, pacing the team with 19.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season. Kenyon Goodin serves as the top perimeter threat, making a team-high 13 three-pointers in conference play while shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard also leads the ASUN in minutes played during conference matchups, averaging 35.1 per game. Brian Waddell provides another scoring punch, ranking 13th in the league at 16.2 points per game and third in field goal percentage at 64.3%.
At the stripe, the Knights have recorded three games with 20 or more made free throws, tying for the most in ASUN play. Through six conference games, they lead the league in both free throws made and attempted.
History Against Bellarmine
Since first meeting in 2021, the Dolphins are 2-6 against the Knights. Bellarmine won the first six matchups, but Jacksonville swept the series last season. In their most recent contest on February 8th, 2025, the Dolphins defeated the Knights 73-64 to secure their first home victory in the series.
In their eight meetings, both teams average less than 70 points, with Jacksonville averaging 64.5 points per game and Bellarmine averaging 67.8.
Jacksonville Men's Basketball vs Eastern Kentucky
Saturday, January 24th | 3:00 PM | ESPN+ | 1010XL
About The Colonels
Eastern Kentucky (7-12, 3-3 ASUN as of 1/22/26) heads back on the road after a home game against the Bellarmine. EKU has the second highest scoring offense in the league at 82.2 points per game, and they also have the fifth best scoring margin at +2.7. EKU also scores the ball at the second highest efficiency in the league at 48.3% from the floor. The Colonels have the best three point attack in the league, with a 41.4% shooting mark, and they lead the league in three pointers made at 83 total for an average of 13.8 per contest. They also have the second best three point defense, only allowing 29.9% of three balls made.
Juan Crawford Jr. leads the Colonels in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game in conference play. From the field, he shoots 43.3% and from deep he shoots 41.2%. His 3.5 made threes a game is third best in the conference. Jalen Cooper and Montavious Myrick lead the Colonels on defense, both securing more than six rebounds per contest. They have combined for eight steals and four blocks in ASUN play. Cooper ranks third in the ASUN in offensive rebounds, and Myrick is eighth in the conference in total rebounds at 6.7 per game.
History Against EKU
Jacksonville leads the series 5-4, with Jacksonville winning the last four straight. Last season, Jacksonville won all three matchups, including a double-digit win in the ASUN Tournament. Jacksonville edged the Colonels by 22 points in the three games last year, an average margin of victory of just 7.7 points. Through the nine games of the series, both teams are separated by less than one point, with Jacksonville averaging 68.8 points and Eastern Kentucky averaging 67.9.
Chris Arias shot 6-11 (54.5%) from deep in the three games against the Colonels last year, totaling 17 points.
Dolphin Notes
The Dolphins boast the ASUN's second best scoring defense, allowing just 72.7 points per game. Austin Peay ranks first at 70.4 points per game. Jacksonville also ranks fifth best in opponents' field goal percentage, at 45.8%.
Jacksonville lost over 75% of its minutes from last year's team, but has found significant contributions from senior guard Jaylen Jones. The transfer from Oakland has proved himself as one of the top scoring pieces for Jacksonville. Jones averages 9.8 points per game, on an efficient 42.7% from the field. He also leads the Dolphins in steals with 27.
Returner Donovan Rivers has 18 starts down low, tied for most of any Dolphin. He leads the team in offensive, defensive and total rebounds per game, and has contributed six steals and nine blocks. He has also reached over eight points in eleven games this season, including the first four games of ASUN play.
Despite a significant offseason roster overhaul, Jacksonville remains one of the deepest teams in the country. The Dolphins rank 27th nationally in bench points per game and lead the ASUN with 32.6 bench points per contest.
Jacksonville has suffered two of the seven total one-possession losses in conference play, falling by a combined five points to Central Arkansas and Austin Peay. However, the Dolphins also own the largest, and tied-for-second largest margin of victory, with a 32-point win over West Georgia and a 22-point triumph on Saturday against UNA.
