FORT MYERS, Fla. --- The third quarter was winding to a close, seconds ticking away. Senior Makiya Miller looked to cash in a coast-to-coast steal. Her shot hit off the front iron, but freshman Tatum Brown cooly swooped in for the put back board and bucket at the buzzer.

It was that kind of night for the Dolphins as they completed another undefeated weekend in ASUN play.

Jacksonville (16-7, 8-4 ASUN) defeated the FGCU Eagles 81-70 Saturday. The win was JU's first over the Eagles since Feb. 4, 2017 and Jacksonville's fifth-straight win.

The Dolphins were led by graduate student guard Priscilla Williams. The second-year 'Phin had one of the best games of her career, scoring 30 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. This is her second game this year with at least 30 points.

The first half played as close as it could, nary a point separating the two teams through two quarters.

Junior Carmaya Bowman got the Dolphins rolling, scoring three times before the first quarter media timeout. Brown buried a jumper to tie the game at 10, then sophomore Comari Mitchell rolled into the paint for a layup to put Jacksonville up 12-10. 

The Eagles had an answer late in the quarter, hitting a 3-pointer with six seconds left in the first. FGCU took its biggest lead of the first half, going up nine with 5:51 in the first half. It took less than a minute for JU to tie the game back up, though.

WIllliams started the run, dishing the ball to junior Bailey Burns for triple. The Dolphins forced a turnovers and Williams took it herself for two more, drawing a foul to add an extra from the free-throw line.

Jacksonville forced another turnover, and freshman Aniah Smith buried a 3-pointer, tying the game at 25 all. The run wasn't done yet, though, as Brown stole the ball and got it to Miller for two more and Smith picked a pocket to dish it off to sophomore Mychal White for another bucket.

In all, the Dolphins turned a nine-point deficit into a four-point lead in under three minutes. The sides traded late shots, tying the game at 35 into the locker room.

From halftime on, Jacksonville found a new gear. 

FGCU struck first, taking a four-point lead. WIlliams answered with a 3-pointer to cut the lead back to one. She put the Dolphins back in front, getting to the rack for a layup and another and-one opportunity. 
Williams was unstoppable in the third quarter, scoring 13 points on her own. Jacksonville shot 50% from the field in the period, and a 10-0 run late in the quarter pushed the Dolphins ahead double figures heading into the final quarter of play.

Jacksonville was in command in the fourth quarter, with Miller hitting a triple and Bowman finishing a layup to give the Dolphins a game-high 15-point lead. The Eagles would chip away, but the Dolphins kept them at arms reach, securing an 81-70 win.

Game Notes

• Williams is one of two ASUN players with multiple 30-plus point games. She's the only player in the league with three 16-plus rebound games.
• Jacksonville's five-game ASUN winning streak is the longest since 2018.
• The Dolphins scored over 80 points for the seventh time this season.
• JU is currently tied for second in the ASUN standings with the second-best overall record in the league.

Head Coach Special Jennings
On JU's five-game winning streak
"We're playing team basketball. Everyone's contributing. I want young ladies that are stat sheet stuffers and that doesn't just mean scoring points. When we show up and play the way we're supposed to, we have a chance to win every game. We won't win every time, but if we play the way we should, we will give ourselves a chance every time."

On beating FGCU and becoming a top team in the ASUN
"That's the reason I cam to Jacksonville, to get this program back to the top half of the league and competing and hopefully winning championships. Gulf coast, coach Raina Harmon, that's my home girl, and I enjoy getting to play against her. Today was fun. Both teams can make shots, which we certainly did."

Up Next
The Dolphins will return to Swisher Gymnasium Thursday to face the Stetson Hatters for the first time this season. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 PM.