JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Dolphins never trailed Thursday night against Lipscomb, defeating the visiting Bisons 70-65 to snap a four-game losing streak against Lipscomb and expand Jacksonville's home win streak to two games.

In front of a raucous home crowd, JU won its first game on a Thursday in ASUN play.  The 'Phins jumped out to a 13-point halftime lead, and a 20-point lead in the second half, but saw that lead dwindle to single digits five separate times in the second period. As the home team did in an overtime win over EKU last week, the 'Phins never wavered and downed the ASUN's top seeded team to rattle off the squad's first pair of back-to-back conference wins. 

It was also the first time JU (9-12, 4-5 ASUN) has won consecutive games all season.

Spearheading the charge was big man Donovan Rivers. Fresh off a career-high 17-point game against the Colonels, Rivers again notched 17 against the Bisons. The forward scored 11 in the first half and led the game with nine total rebounds. 

Rivers was back in the starting lineup after two games and made his impact felt immediately, scoring on his team's second possession. He followed that up with seven straight points on the offensive end to see his side to an early 13-9 lead.

Jacksonville ballooned its first half lead up to 15 points twice in the first half. Defensively, the Dolphins held Lipscomb to their lowest first half scoring output of the conference season. The half was was Lipscomb's lowest half overall in ASUN competition.

Out of the stoppage, JU got ahead by 20 just three minutes in. As Lipscomb has been one to do all season – with multiple 50-point second half showings – the Bisons knocked that lead to just two points with under nine minutes to play. 

With 5:43 on the clock, the score was just 57-56 in favor of Jacksonville. At the 4:08 mark, the game was 59-58.

Clutch free throw shooting helped stave off the visitor's attack, spurred on by yet another solid game at the stripe by Allen Udemadu. 

Udemadu went 3-4 at the line, one of three 'Phins to go 3-4 at the line overall. In his past four games, Udemadu has gone 13-14 from the free throw line.

Rivers too was a positive contributor from the line, going 3-4 as well. The junior big has gone 12-15 in his past six games.

Joining Rivers in scoring was Hayden Wood, who collected 14 points. In conference play, Wood has five double-digit scoring efforts. The freshman Wood wasn't the only frosh to hit double-digits as Evan Sterck hit 11 points, his fourth double-digit scoring effort in ASUN play.

Once again, Sterck led the team in minutes played with 34. In his past six games, Sterck has yet to play under 33 minutes, having played uner 30 minutes in ASUN play just twice.

Led by Rivers' nine boards, JU won the rebounding battle 29-25. This conference season, Rivers has three games with nine rebounds including one double-double. 

Jacksonville took care of the ball against the ASUN's leading team finishing the game with just seven turnovers. In five of the team's last six games Jacksonville has finished with 10 or fewer turnovers, going 3-2 during that stretch.

Defending home court against an opponent's best player has been the calling card for Jacksonville's recent success. Grant Asman entered the game as Lipscomb's leading scorer at 13.9 points per game. Jacksonville limited the forward to just two points, his lowest output in a game all season.

With the win, JU moved to tied for fifth in the league after handing Lipscomb just its second conference loss thus far. The Dolphins sit tied with UWG and Stetson, just behind UCA in the league standings.

After breaking a losing drought against the Bisons, Jacksonville will look to break yet another losing streak when FGCU comes to Swisher Gym Saturday afternoon.

The Dolphins are currently losers of their last seven games against FGCU and winners of just four of the last 27 contests.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Halftime of the contest will serve to commemorate Jacksonville's newest Hall of Fame class, with five members being inducted Saturday morning. 

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