WILMINGTON, N.C. – Jacksonville University men’s basketball fell behind early and never recovered, dropping its Saturday afternoon contest at UNCW 81-53 at Trask Coliseum.
The Dolphins (5-3) trailed by 15 at the half and saw its two-game win streak snapped.
The game started with UNCW scoring the first six points. After the first media timeout, JU answered with a three-pointer by Jarius Cook to cut the deficit in half, but from there, the Seahawks scored seven-straight to build the lead to double-figures.
The Dolphins took a timeout and got an alley-oop to Osayi Osifo out of the break to trim it to 13-5, but UNCW drilled three consecutive three-pointers and led 22-5 with 11:34 to play in the first.
The lead grew to 22 with 6:07 left in the half on a stickback layup, before JU changed up its defense, fueling a few stops that led to a 7-0 run, with Jordan Davis scoring twice and Gyasi Powell swishing a three. The Dolphins ended the half on a 9-2 run, and a three-pointer by Kevion Nolan from about 25-feet left wing came up just short at the horn.
UNCW scored the first six of the second half as well and JU had a much easier time scoring but could not consistently string together stops on the defensive end. The Seahawks went on to outscore JU 47-34 in the second half to pull away for the victory, avenging the 29-point loss in Swisher Gym last Decemberr.
Jacksonville has a week off before playing again in the 2022 home finale against Charleston Southern. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Swisher Gym.
