JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 9-1 run in the closing minutes by Lipscomb proved to be the difference in a high scoring back and forth contest on Saturday at Historic Swisher Gymnasium. Jacksonville posted a third straight 80+ point game, but came out on the short end falling 87-83 to end a two game win streak.
"You are not going to win many games when you give up 87 points," said Head Coach Tony Jasick. "I am a firm believer that you have to earn everything in life. Give them credit, they shot the ball well, but we still gave up 87 and that is not what we are trying to do."
In a game that featured 10 ties and 15 lead changes, the Dolphins (3-9 A-Sun; 9-20) held a 40-37 lead at the break before Lipscomb (6-6 A-Sun; 12-15) shot 63 percent (17-27) and erupted for 50 second half points. Jacksonville led 52-45 three minutes into the second half and was still in front 72-71 with four minutes remaining before the decisive 9-1 run. After the Bisons took the lead they would seal win by hitting 7-8 from the foul line in the final minute.
"We did a poor job on their screening action with a lack of awareness which allowed them to get into a rhythm," added Jasick
Lipscomb initially built up a 20-10 first half lead before Jacksonville used a 17-4 run over the next five minutes to gain a three-point, 27-24 advantage following two free throws from Kori Babineaux at the 6:41 mark. Marcellous Bell, who had 15 first half points, knocked down three of his four three-point attempts during the run. The rest of the half stayed tight before two more three-pointers by Bell in the final two minutes gave the Dolphins the 40-37 lead at the break.
Babineaux posted his second straight double-double with 25 points and 10 assists. Bell meanwhile added 18 points and Marcel White had 17 points as the duo anchored another string showing from the Dolphins bench.
"Give Marcellous credit, he has stayed the course," Jasick said. "There were some guys ahead of him at the beginning of the year. Five-six games back he was given an opportunity and he grabbed it and ran with it. He did exactly what you preach as a coach."
The loss ended a seven game winning streak for the Jacksonville in Swisher Gymnasium.
The Dolphins travel to Stetson on Wednesday and will return to Swisher for the regular season finale on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast