JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Dolphins (10-17, 5-9 ASUN) men's basketball team heads south for a rematch with Florida Gulf Coast, marking the two programs' second meeting this season. 

On January 31, the Dolphins dropped a 68-49 decision to the visiting Eagles, recording their lowest scoring output of the season and matching their largest margin of defeat (19) in ASUN play. Jacksonville shot just 1-of-17 from three-point range, their lowest percentage since 2018. The 49-point effort was their lowest in ASUN play since 2022 against former member Liberty.

This will be the 42nd meeting between the programs, with the Eagles having won the last eight matchups and 24 of the past 28. The Dolphins have not defeated FGCU in Fort Myers since 2016, and they are currently on an eight-game road losing streak in the series.

Last Time Out

On Saturday, Jacksonville defeated cross-town rival North Florida 63-56, snapping a four-game losing streak and regaining momentum in a game that reinforced the team's identity.

Jason Thirdkill Jr. delivered one of his best performances against the Ospreys, tallying 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line. It was his third 19-point game this season (Trinity College of Florida and Texas A&M). He also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, tying for the game lead. Thirdkill has eight ASUN games to his name where he has snagged seven or more rebounds and one ASUN double-double, posting 11 points and 10 boards against Austin Peay.

With the shot clock winding down and just over a minute left in a one-possession game, Thirdkill buried a three-pointer to help put away the Ospreys, extending the Dolphin lead to two possessions. The Dolphins never relinquished control after that make.

Freshman Evan Sterck also impressed in his first-ever River City Rumble, scoring a career-high 17 points. His point total was the second-highest in the game which included three made triples. He also added two steals to his stat line, rounding out his performance.

The 56 points scored by the ASUN's top offense was the Ospreys' lowest output of the season and their lowest in conference play in two years. Jacksonville previously limited UNF to 50 points in a decisive 12-point win in 2024.

The win vaulted the Dolphins past UNF in the ASUN standings, dropping the Ospreys to eleventh place and moving Jacksonville into a tie for eighth.

Eagles By The Numbers

FGCU (12-15, 6-8 ASUN) is one of five ASUN teams with a positive scoring margin this season. The Eagles rank eighth in offense at 78.8 points per game and allow 78.0 points on average. They are fifth in field goal percentage (45.6%) and third in defensive field goal percentage (45.5%).

The Eagles are one of the top rebounding teams in the conference as well, boasting the highest rebounding margin (2.8). Their 37 rebounds per game lead the ASUN, and they rank third in offensive rebounding. Defensively, they allow just 34.3 rebounds per contest, the third lowest in the league.

J.R. Konieczny leads the Eagles in both points and rebounds, averaging 16.6 points per game in conference play and good for eighth best in the league. The graduate student is riding a four-game streak of scoring at least 14 points. His 6.6 rebounds per game ranks fifth in conference play, and he has averaged eight boards over the past three games.

Rahmir Barno ranks second in the ASUN with 5.4 assists per game. He averages 31.8 minutes, trailing only Konieczny, and has started all 14 conference games, one of only two Eagles to do so alongside Michael Duax.

In their first meeting with Jacksonville, FGCU delivered its best defensive performance of the season, allowing just 49 points, the fewest they have surrendered to a Division I opponent this year. The Eagles are 9-0 when holding opponents under 75 points. With Jacksonville averaging only 68.1 points per game this season, this will be a key statistic to watch.

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Hayden Wood has made an immediate impact for Jacksonville, averaging over 20 minutes, 11.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in conference play. He leads the team in three-pointers made and three-point percentage (40.5%) and has started a team-high 26 games, establishing himself as a reliable outside shooter.

The Dolphins feature the ASUN's top scoring defense, allowing just 70.4 points per game in conference play. Jacksonville also ranks sixth in opponent field goal percentage, holding teams to 46.8%.

Jacksonville owns the ASUN's second-best rebounding margin through fourteen conference games, despite ranking third lowest in total team rebounds. The Dolphins' stifling defense creates fewer possessions and slows the tempo to their advantage.

Despite a significant offseason roster overhaul, Jacksonville remains one of the nation's deepest teams. The Dolphins rank 29th nationally in bench points per game and lead the ASUN with 30.6 points per contest from their reserves.

In the River City Rumble, North Florida managed just 50% from the free-throw line, making only three- their lowest total of the season. Although Jacksonville scored near its season average, it was still the fewest points UNF has allowed this year. The Dolphins' slow pace proved decisive in the game in limiting possessions and shots.