JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- It wasn't always pretty. And it certainly wasn't easy. But the Jacksonville Dolphins made it six wins on the trot, downing the Stetson Hatters 76-70 Thursday night in Swisher Gymnasium.

The Dolphins (17-7, 9-4 ASUN) move into solo second place in the ASUN, defeating the previously tied Hatters. Jacksonville has now recorded its most wins and ASUN wins in a season since 2019-20.

JU was ready for a fight from the opening whistle. Freshman Tatum Brown got to the paint, finishing with touch and drawing a foul. After completing the three-point play, she hit a smooth pull-up jumper. 

Jacksonville forced an early Stetson timeout as a layup from sophomore Comari Mitchell put the Dolphins up 11-2 in the first quarter. 

The Hatters hit a triple to cut the run, but Brown had the answer with a 3-ball of her own. Stetson would eventually find its offense, though, as Jacksonville took an 18-14 lead into the second quarter.

Graduate student Priscilla Williams got her game rolling in the second quarter. It started with a straightaway triple, then she got to the paint to draw a foul. She hit both of her free throws, and then she turned playmaker, finding freshman Aniah Smith open for a 3-pointer.

Stetson cut the lead down to one before another mini run for JU. Brown controlled the strings, dishing the ball down low to junior Carmaya Bowman for two then slipping it across to Williams for three more.

Bowman iced the hot stretch with another bucket as the Dolphins took a 55-49 lead into the break.

Jacksonville's hot night from behind the arc continued in the second half as Brown hit her second of the night from long range. Smith hit her second 3-pointer of the night, putting the Dolphins up six.

Brown cashed in her third triple of the night, keeping the Jacksonville offense roaring into the fourth quarter. Senior Makiya Miller drove to the cup for a pair of tough layups then drilled a 3-pointer to put JU up 70-61 with under four minutes to play.

Jacksonville's defense iced it out, limiting the Hatters to two field goals in the final four minutes of the game. The Dolphins closed it out from the free throw line, hit six foul shots in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Game Notes

• JU tied a season high with five scorers in double figures (Williams, Miller, Bowman, Brown and Smith).
• The Dolphins won the rebounding battle 41-26, led by Williams' 12 boards.
• Despite never leading by double figures, Jacksonville led for 90.1% of the game.
• Jacksonville has scored at least 75 points in 11 games this season.

Head Coach Special Jennings
On grinding out a win
"Great teams find a way to win. It's not always going to be pretty, but we made the plays we needed to make and got the victory tonight."

On multiple people scoring double figures
"When we've got multiple people in double figures, that's where we're at our best. It challenges the defense and lets us see what they can take away. Priscilla Willims is a unicorn, she's an incredible player, but we're a lot more than just Priscilla Williams."

On winning the rebound battle
"We focused all week on making them one-and-done on offense. Number 27 for them, Promise [Keshi], she has a motor like no other. So we knew we'd have to match their effort and intensity tonight, and we did a good job of that."

Up Next
Jacksonville will stay in Duval County but travel across town for the first River City Rumble of the season against North Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM at UNF Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.