JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Dolphins (8-13, 3-5 ASUN) men's basketball team continues its home stand this week, set to host both Lipscomb and FGCU following a split in conference home games last week. On Saturday, the Dolphins outlasted EKU in overtime, 81-76, fueled by career-best scoring performances from Chris Lockett Jr. (25), Donovan Rivers (17) and Evan Sterck (16).
Lockett shot an impressive 10-for-13 (76.9%) from the field, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. His three steals ranked as the 13th-best single-game mark in conference play this season. Allen Udemadu contributed six points and seven rebounds, with most of his production coming in overtime, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds during the extra period.
Trailing by seven with just over three minutes remaining, the Dolphins scored on their final five possessions to overtake the Colonels. Jacksonville outpaced the visitors 22–10 down the stretch.
The Dolphins are currently tied for sixth in conference play at 3-5, alongside EKU, Stetson and UNF. Jacksonville has gone 3-3 over its last six games, winning all three Saturday matchups by an average margin of 19.7 points.
Jacksonville Men's Basketball vs Lipscomb
Thursday, January 29th | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ | 1010XL
Bisons By The Numbers
Lipscomb (14-7, 7-1 ASUN) ranks fifth in the conference in both total offense and defense, averaging 81.6 points scored and 74.1 points allowed per game during ASUN play. The Bisons boast the fourth-highest scoring margin at +7.5 and hold opponents to a conference-best 46.3% shooting from the field.
Five Bisons average double-digit points this season, led by Grant Asman's 14.5 points per game, the 11th-highest mark in the conference. Asman also ranks second in total rebounds and third in rebounding average (7.4) during ASUN play.
Charlie Williams and Mateo Esmeraldo have joined Asman as the only Bisons to start every game this season. Esmeraldo leads the ASUN with 146 assists, the fifth-most nationally and 38 more than any other player in the conference. He also tops the ASUN in assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging just under four assists for every turnover.
Jacksonville previously faced Lipscomb on New Year's Day in Nashville, falling 76-57. Jacksonville's Chris Arias led the game with 13 points, while Asman scored 11 and grabbed five rebounds.
History Against Lipscomb
Jacksonville and Lipscomb have met 46 times, most recently in this season's ASUN opener. Overall, Lipscomb leads the series 27-19 and has won the last five meetings. However, at Swisher Gymnasium, the Dolphins have won five of their last six matchups.
Jacksonville Men's Basketball vs Florida Gulf Coast
Saturday, January 31st | 3:00 PM | ESPN+ | 1010XL
Eagles By The Numbers
Through eight conference games, FGCU (8-13, 2-6 ASUN as of Wednesday 01/28) ranks ninth in total offense, averaging 75 points per game. Defensively, the Eagles rank sixth, giving up 79 points per game but holding opponents to just 44.3% shooting, currently the third-best mark in conference play.
J.R. Konieczny leads the team in conference play by averaging 18 points per game.
He is followed by three double-digit scorers: Isaiah Malone (12.4), Rahmir Barno (11.9) and Jordan Ellerbee (11.9). That trio are the only Eagles to start every ASUN game. Malone leads the team in field goal percentage at 59.6%, Barno averages the most minutes per game (33.1) and leads in assists (40).
Both Lipscomb and FGCU faced a quick turnaround last week by playing games on consecutive days last Thursday and Friday. They met last Friday at Lipscomb's Allen Arena, where the Eagles fell to the Bisons, 86-71. FGCU's Rory Stewart logged 38 minutes, scoring 15 points, grabbing five rebounds and hitting four three-pointers.
History Against FGCU
FGCU leads the overall series 23-12 and has won the last seven meetings. In the past five games at Swisher Gymnasium, the Dolphins are 1-4, but the average margin of defeat is only 4.4 points.
More About The 'Phins:
The Dolphins boast the ASUN's top scoring defense, allowing just 68.8 points per game in conference play. Jacksonville also ranks sixth in opponents' field goal percentage at 46%.
Hayden Wood has made an immediate impact for Jacksonville, averaging over 20 minutes, 12.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game during conference play. He is a consistent threat from beyond the arc, leading the Dolphins in three-pointers made and three-point percentage (41.8%), and has started a team-high 20 games.
Despite significant offseason roster changes, Jacksonville remains one of the deepest teams in the nation. The Dolphins rank 15th nationally in bench points per game and lead the ASUN with 36.5 bench points per contest.
The Dolphins are among the league leaders in blocked shots, averaging 3.1 per contest. Much of this success is thanks to Jason Thirdkill Jr., who ranks fifth in the ASUN with over a block per game. His presence in the paint has made it difficult for opponents to score inside, and he is sixth in the conference in total rebounds.
