CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Jacksonville Dolphins fell at the hands of West Georgia Saturday afternoon, 87-73. The loss represented the third straight for the 'Phins.
Saturday's result moved JU to 9-16 overall and 4-8 in conference play. The win by West Georgia was their first in three games total against Jacksonville.
Jaylen Jones kept up his double-digit scoring streak he started at Queens on Thursday, matching his career high in scoring with a team-high 19 points. Jones and
Hayden Wood, 12 points, were the team's only double-digit scorers in Carrollton.
Jacksonville and UWG had a competitive first half, going into halftime tied at 35. JU battled back from multiple seven-point deficits to keep the game tied, closing the half on a 6-3 run.
The second half was where Jacksonville lost its control on the game, allowing 53 second-half points to the Wolves. Before games at Queens and UWG, the Dolphins had not allowed an ASUN team to reach 80 points but allowed back to back 80-plus point showings to the Royals and Wolves.
Foul trouble plagued the 'Phins all afternoon, amassing 29 total against the Wolves. It was the most in a game all season and well above the previous conference-high of 22 fouls against FGCU. The 29 fouls were the most called against the Dolphins since a January 2021 meeting with North Alabama.
By game's end, Jacksonville lost the battle of the boards 40-31. Off the bench,
Jaylen Jordon led the team with five rebounds. Jones, Wood and
Chris Lockett Jr. each grabbed four.
The Dolphins shot well the entire game, shooting 51.9% in the first half and 40.0% in the second half for a game total of 45.6%. But West Georgia's 66.7% second-half shooting number proved too much to overcome on the road.
Jones ended the day as the standout player with his team-high points, second-most rebounds and game-high four assists. He also led the game in steals with two.
The road trip continues for Jacksonville as the 'Phins have a test at Stetson on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Hatters and the Dolphins square off in DeLand at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
