JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University’s men’s basketball team took down Stetson 75-60 on Saturday with an impressive defensive performance, limiting the Hatters to 30.3 percent shooting and just 18.5 percent from three.
“Tonight we were pretty good, for the most part,” said Head Coach Tony Jasick. “We had a couple of plays late that could have worked out a bit better, but when we were focused in it went well.”
The Hatters would scrap their way to a 33-33 tie with 18:30 remaining with a 7-0 run, but JU responded with a run of its own, outscoring Stetson 10-3 over the next three minutes, leading 43-36 at the first media. The Dolphins’ defense locked in for the next four minutes, allowing just one bucket in nine attempts by the Hatters. Jacksonville’s lead would stretch to 16 points, 56-40, with two three-pointers by Darien Fernandez at 9:27. Stetson would claw back within 11 with 5:29 remaining, but would never get the lead under double digits.
“Tonight we did a great job of not settling in and just jogging back,” continued Jasick. “We have a tendency of not pushing the ball all the way to the rim, but our guys were committed on both ends of the floor the entire evening.”
Marcel White and J.R. Holder each scored 15 points for the Dolphins, and White also had a double-double. Kori Babineaux had 14 points, six boards, and five assists, Fernandez had 12 points and six rebounds, and Josh Adeyeye had 11 points and seven rebounds. Antwon Clayton had eight points and seven boards.
“We’ve had some guys that had some standout performances, but now we’re getting to the point where we’re playing unselfish, balanced basketball,” concluded Jasick. “Babineaux’s play at FGCU on Wednesday is a great example of that. A lot of leading scorers will say, ‘Yeah you’re feeling good, but I’m gonna get my points too’, and Kori did a great job of putting the team first and letting Adeyeye carry us that night. Now the whole team is doing that as well.”
The Dolphins got off to a slow start, missing its first three baskets, and Stetson led for the first two minutes. But the Dolphins quickly found their range, outscoring Stetson 10-0 over the next three minutes. At the first media stoppage JU led 15-5. The run continued out of the timeout; the Dolphins had a 6-3 run over the next five minutes and led 21-7 with 11:37 left in the period. But the Hatters wouldn’t go down without a fight, outscoring Jacksonville 16-12 for the rest of the half. The halftime score: Jacksonville 33, Stetson 26.
The Dolphins have a rematch against Florida Gulf Coast University on Monday, and then go on the road for a rematch against Stetson in DeLand, Fla. next Saturday.