Sports — The Navigator

Softball Team’s First Tournament of the Season

February 13, 2012 By Megan Van Fleet Leave a Comment

Photo by Brett Durda

The Jacksonville University women’s softball team hosted their first tournament of the season, battling the cold this weekend with limited success. The Dolphins won the first two games on Friday but could not carry the momentum of those wins to Saturday and Sunday ending the weekend with a 2-3 record.

In the first game played against the Buffalo Bulls, JU began with a four run first inning that gave them the lead that they held throughout the game. Buffalo scored two runs in the third inning, but those were not enough to win the game. The Dolphins in turn scored a run in the third inning, and then again in the sixth to end the game with the first win of the season.

University of North Carolina Greensboro proved to be no match for the Jacksonville Dolphins Friday evening as they dominated with the final score of 10-3 to be the second win of the night. The Dolphins had a breakout second inning in which there were six hits, as well as two errors by UNCG, allowing JU to score a total of seven runs. In the third inning, UNCG had a two-out rally, scoring three unearned runs, the only runs of the game. The Dolphins added to their score in the fourth, sixth, and seventh inning to have a total of ten runs from the 14 hits.

After Friday night, the JU offense shut down and scored only three runs in three games while giving up ten. Saturday night, JU started the game by scoring a run after two errors by the Saint Louis Defense, but the run was quickly matched by Saint Louis leaving the score tied going into the second inning. The bottom of the second inning, the Saint Louis right fielder hit a home run giving the Billikens the lead and eventually the win. The JU defense was able to hold the Saint Louis offense with no more runs, but JU was unable to score any runs themselves.

Against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the JU offense were only able to earn two runs, one from a home run in the third inning by the left fielder Jacey Warner and one after a string of base hits in the sixth. Senior pitcher Sarah Sigrest, after being spot on the rest of the tournament, did not have her game on Saturday night. Six Hokie players were hit by pitches and allowed three runs. Due to defensive errors, four more runs were scored leaving the score 7-2.

The Sunday game against Saint Louis, their second of the weekend, was a heart-breaker that the Dolphins lost in the eighth inning after giving up only one run. Sarah Sigrest pitched this game as well; however, had a much better outing. Even after pitching 161 pitches the night before, Sigrest had a strong performance, striking out 11 and allowing one walk. The only run of the game was scored in the eighth inning. The Hokies began the inning with a runner on second base according to extra inning rules and executed a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. The run was able to score after a base hit by the first baseman. After the same opportunity, the Dolphins were unable to score a run, losing the game 1-0.

Filed Under: Front Page, Softball, Sports

Cabell’s Career-High 28 Leads JU Past Stetson

February 8, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

Photo by Brett Durda

Jacksonville University sophomore Aloys Cabell scored a career-high 28 points alongside teammate Glenn Powell who tossed in 15 to help lead the host Dolphins to a 74-61 blowout conference victory over Stetson University Monday evening at the Veterans Memorial Arena.

JU (5-19, 3-10 A-Sun) withstood a sultry start by the unwelcomed visitors from across the state, as the Hatters (8-16, 5-8 A-Sun) led by as many as nine early on, but thanks in part to a suffocating defense and the play of Cabell on the offensive end, the Dolphins quickly regained the lead midway through the first half following a clutch lay-up by Tevin Galvin that tied it at 29-29. The senior Galvin rounded out the night with ten rebounds and seven points.

The Dolphins would close out the half on a 13-2 run to take a 38-31 lead at the break.

In the second half, Jacksonville put the Stetson Hatters away early as senior forward Delwan Graham made his day as a thief, stealing a career-high five balls from his opponents to go along with eight boards and seven points.

Jacksonville shot 40.6 percent from the floor and made nine 3-point field goals in the game. They outscored Stetson in the paint 34-24 and won the points off of turnovers battle with the score of 18 to 12.

Point guard Aloys Cabell would finish 5-of-8 from downtown, 7-of-11 from the foul line, and three assists with other scores in 30 minutes of play.

“Tonight was a complete team effort,” said JU head coach Cliff Warren. “Everyone that played contributed for us, whether it was scoring or on defense.”

Stetson was led by Aaron Graham’s team-high 22 points and five assists, while Joel Naburgs added 11 and Chris Perez had eight.

Jacksonville will return to action this Saturday when the Dolphins travel to Spartanburg to take on the University South Carolina Upstate. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on AM 1010XL with Terry Norvelle calling the match up.

Filed Under: Basketball, Sports

Lady Fins Slip at Florida Gulf Coast University

February 8, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

Senior Crystal Bell, who is a Brevard Community College transfer, recorded her 120th steal of her JU career, moving her into fifth place all-time among former Dolphin hoopsters. Bell scored a team-high 15 points and was a perfect 3-3 from the foul line. Senior Jessica George and sophomore Jade Cargill added eight points apiece, but the Lady Fins could not climb back from a slow start and fell to FGCU 70-60 Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Arena.

Sophomore Abril Peebles and junior Maggie Wilson also each chipped in seven points in the contest as JU dropped to 7-17 overall. The Eagles (21-2, 13-0 A-Sun) had four players score in the double-digits; Courtney Chihil, Nicoya Jackson, Kelsey Jacobson, and Sara Hansen who led all scorers with 23 points.

After a fast start during which the Lady Fins were up as much as seven early, Cargill and Peebles kept JU in the game, managing to cut through the defense for short looks and hit the open shots to shrink the FGCU lead to within a point.

The Eagles then padded their slim lead with help from the long range shot, 3-4 and carrying an the advantage at the half of 37-27.

Once again, however, the Dolphins rallied to catch up with FGCU, going on an 11-4 second-half run to cut the deficit to seven, but the visiting Eagles would answer with a run of their own. Two treys from Florida Gulf Coast Kelsey Jacobson quickly brought the lead back to double-digits, and they led by as many as 17 shortly after.

Team captain Jessica George maneuvered her way through a pair of Eagle defenders and pulled up for a three in the final minute to keep it within reaching distance, but the Lady Fins committed too many fouls, which left the other team at the free-throw line to soak up the clock.

While both squads looked to the long ball, the Eagles remained consistent with the short jumpers and lay-ups then were later able to look down low to Hansen, who put her team within victory’s reach early on.

“We battled hard again,” JU head coach Jill Dunn said. “We did a good job defensively of keeping them contained for the most part, but we were not able to cash in on our opportunities. I told our team to keep battling because good things will happen soon.”

The Green and Gold return to the court on Thursday when they play East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. The clash is set to begin with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Filed Under: Basketball, Sports

Freshmen Stand Out

February 8, 2012 By Ethan Wellhausen Leave a Comment

Saturday was one to forget as South Carolina State took the Jacksonville University men’s and women’s tennis team to the cleaners, defeating both teams, the men 0-2 and the Lady Dolphins 6-1. JU hosted SCS Saturday afternoon at the Keith Watson Family Tennis Complex.

However, it was a good time for JU freshman on both the men’s and women’s teams to shine.

Freshman Aline Staudt won her singles match and remained undefeated in 2012. Staudt improved to 3-0 on the season with a win against SCS’s Suhaila Jad on court one. She was able to win in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

Staudt and her teammate, Natalia Marques Melibeu, entered the courts as an undefeated doubles team but were unable to keep that streak alive. Opponents Maria Craciun and Akilah James crushed Staudt and Melibeu 8-0.

Senior Virginia Iwinski was the only Lady Dolphin to press on in her match to three sets. She fought hard but was defeated by Katarina Barborikova 5-7, 6-3, 1-0.

Richard Casagrande and Eduardo Martinez, Staudt’s freshman male counterparts, were able to score enough points to win their singles matches and to rack up the men’s teams only points for the match.

Casagrande was able to defeat SCS’s Laug-Eun Lee in straight single sets 7-5, 7-5, marking Casagrande’s second win of the season in just as many matches.

Casagrande was able to find equal success with his doubles partner Fernando Bano Lopez. In the doubles competition both assisted the other in defeating the team of Viogradous and Niktin 9-7.

Working a little bit more for his singles victory, Martinez took to the court for his win, beating out his opponent in two out of three sets. He defeated Bizon 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. This was Martinez’s first singles competition for this season and it moves his individual record to 1-0.

This new loss brought the men to their current record of 0-2 for this season. The Lady Dolphins move to 1-2 on the season after the loss. Both teams return to action at home when they take on Bethune-Cookman Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m.

Filed Under: Sports, Tennis

Tennis Program Gets Tossed

February 7, 2012 By John Joyce Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Dustin Mollohan

“I’ve been here two weeks,” she said.

What she did not say, what she could not find the words for, what she was incapable of preventing herself from expressing via every nonverbal indicator simultaneously betraying her, was that a lifetime of dedication was now threatened.

Years of arduous training and conditioning and the deep consideration of which school to attend led each of them here to America, here to JU, here to play tennis, the sport they love.

They came from Recife and Sao Paulo, Brazil. They came from Ontario and Vancouver, Canada, from Suzled, Germany and from Loures, Portugal. The only American hails from Georgia. “She,” could have been any one of them.

On Jan. 27, Jacksonville University’s Board of Trustees voted to eliminate tennis from the school’s athletics program. Due to fiscal limitations and waning support for the program, both men and women’s tennis will cease play at the end of this season. Those who chose to continue their education here will retain their scholarships. Those who do not are free to transfer without NCAA penalty.

Even on the condition of anonymity none of the tennis players or coaching staff were willing to go on record. But with the amount of speculation and conjecture sweeping over the campus last week regarding the seemingly abrupt termination, somebody needed to quell the controversy.

President Kerry Romesburg, Ph.D., sits high above Jacksonville University’s manicured campus and watches Dolphins traverse the quad tending to their day-to-day business. It is from this perch that he and his administration make some of the toughest decisions facing colleges today.

“Very few schools make money on sports,” said Romesburg, also one of the 10 university presidents that comprise the Atlantic Sun Conference Presidents Council. On a national scale, he surmised that more than 12 schools make money on sports, up to about 26 this year due to the expansion of the NCAA super conferences such as the Big 12 and the SEC. “We are among the majority that lose money,” Romesburg said.

The questions on Jan. 27 remained—why tennis, why now?

“Why tennis, I couldn’t tell ya,” said Joel Lamp, associate athletic director for external affairs.

“Why now, because it’s a board meeting.”

Dr. Romesburg elaborated on Mr. Lamp’s levity.

“This isn’t easy for any one involved. I expressed that, when I met with the coach and when I met with the team, that there is no dissatisfaction with them or with the sport,” said Romesburg.

It has not been easy on the students or alumni either. Many have sent emails in protest and Jacksonville University Student Alliance (JUSA) President Zach Shacter spoke on behalf of the program personally at last month’s Board of Trustees’ meeting.

According to what Shacter was told in the meeting, we would need $8 million in reserve over the next 15 years to continue tennis. President Romesburg and Athletic Director Alan Verlander dispute this.

According to them, an endowment or donation of just a few million dollars would preserve the program, but for how long they did not say. What they did make clear was that this has been a long time coming.

JU has 21 sports programs if counting cheerleading; this is two more than our closest comparable A-sun conference opponent. How we grew to include this many sports and are consequently faced with having to scale back is a story of time and money. As support for each new sport arose, and financial backing and community interest grew with it, JU adopted one after another. Due to waning support and community interest however, something needed to be eliminated for the school to be able to make budget in the coming years.

“Costs are rising and deficits are increasing,” said Romesburg. “We did a cross analysis of each sport and tennis came out on the bottom.”

The analysis took place in October. Prior to that, the JU president and his nine A-sun President’s Council counterparts had to meet and vote on rule changes to allow the schools involved to be able to eliminate sports at all and to also be able do so without penalty. Once the rules were changed, the decision process began.

Unbeknown to coach Justin Miles was the potential for a sword of Damocles to cut short his inaugural campaign as JU’s Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s tennis. According to the JU athletic page, Miles left Georgia Southern after nine years with a mostly successful on-the-court record and having mentored his players to off-the-court achievements as well. Though he declined to comment, both the decision to cut the program and the manner in which he found out left an echo of despair in my ear when I hung up with him last week.

According to Verlander and President Romesburg, coach Miles did find out before they could meet with him that this would be the program’s final season.

President Romesburg conceded that the decision to cut tennis was known only to he and the A.D., and the other nine members of the A-Sun president’s council. The meeting held that determined this outcome was a closed-door session. He opted not to speculate further.

The administration also went on to say that this decision was in no way an indication that the university is in financial trouble. They also expressed that the recruiting of a new marching band and the growing support for Lacrosse did not influence the decision either.

According to the collegiate-athlete recruiting website Athleticscholarships.com, JU dispersed more than $3 million in scholarships last year, including those to athletics. The operating costs for the tennis program did not exceed the NCAA Division I-AA school average, but did break even when contrasted to the amount of revenue the sport brought in. JU administration neither confirmed nor denied the accuracy of these figures.

The JU Dolphin family, to include students, faculty, staff and alumni has expressed sadness at the loss of the tennis program. The Navigator has received emails and Facebook messages offering support. Unfortunately, that support has not yet translated into donations or pledges of a financial offering, to which the administration would lend considerable attention. Barring that, tennis at JU will see its last serves and volleys this spring.

“We tried to manage this the best way we could,” Romesburg said.

Filed Under: Front Page, News, Sports, Tennis

2012 Baseball Season Preview

February 6, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

With the crack of the bat signaling their return to the diamond, the Jacksonville University baseball team is set to embark on the 55^th season in school history searching for its fourth Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in the last seven years.

While returning six starting position players from last season and their pitching staff almost completely intact, experience should be a key to this year’s success. The team is again picked to be among the league’s best and carries a national ranking #32.

This year’s squad looks to build on an exciting 2011 season which saw the team win 37 games and advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. JU returns an amazing stock of talent to the field this spring, including a pair of junior All-Conference performers who have received numerous accolades and awards based on their previous hard work on and off the field.

“The experience from last season really has helped make the team into a unified group and serves as a motivating factor, because there is too much pride in the clubhouse for us to go out like that again,” says fourth-year senior Jonathan Murphy.

Junior Jimmy Appleby who bats left but throws right gained starting experience at third base in the 2011 season, where he appeared in 21 games and made eight starts while contributing to several Dolphin wins. He took position on the pitching mound last season twice and left the field as a winner both times.

“We have a lot of new faces, but the same team goals, which are to win the conference and go to the regional tournament,” said Appleby. “We have some good arms on the mound this year.”

Fellow junior leftfielder and pre-law major Tyler Hooten (6-0, 190) gained valuable knowledge last season having played in six games. The right-handed hitter was a teammate of Appleby’s throughout their youth baseball days and as of most recently when they won the 2009 Blue Grey All American Classic, also are roommates here on campus.

“The team will have a good group of core players that will be around the next few years,” said Hooten. “We are young and talented, but just need to keep working hard and gain some experience. Our goal is to improve each time out and play consistent baseball. If we do that, we will get to where we want to be.”

A huge newcomer for the Fins this season is Ethan Loosen (6-3, 215). The junior transfer excelled at both third base and shortstop during his career at FCCJ. He has a quick release and a sharp arm to go along with his great range, soft hands and quickness on the bag. Loosen can really sting line drives into the gaps and launch balls over the fence. He is becoming more relaxed and confident with JU’s system and is developing a good comfort level with his teammates, which naturally will improve their double-play efficiency.

Senior Matt Frank (6-1, 200) is tenacious behind the plate and exudes confidence in his abilities. He turned in an impressive performance during their annual intra-squad World Series game, leading to some high expectations for the right-handed catcher. It is evident from watching Long practice that he receives and blocks the ball extremely well. He also has worked on improving his footwork and throwing accuracy, so fans should see a different type of catching situation this season.

Sophomore flam-thrower Chris Anderson was named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American after recording a team high 11 saves. Anderson has the pure stuff, including a fastball that has been clocked in the low-90s at times. He showed great improvement during the fall workouts and was flashing his trademark control with all his pitches.

Senior Steve Eagerton (6-2, 210) will be counted on heavily again this year. The right-handed pitcher had his best season ever where he started 14 games and logged a perfect 9-0 record. Given Eagerton’s ability to bring the heat combined with his durability, The Dolphins are in good hands when he steps up to the mound.

Another key pitcher this season for the Fins will be senior Sean Green (6-8, 215). He controls the running game and fields his position with such a high level of athleticism. Green also has a great feel for his delivery and aggressively attacks opposing hitters, helping to maximize the good location on his low-90s fastball and a tough changeup.

The spring roster will boast a fine list of hungry first-year players in the likes of seven pitchers; Clayton Levins, Nolan Peterson, RC Williams, Alex McRae, Jeff Tanner, Corben Madden, Wes Torrez and four fielders; Dylan Dillard, Ethan Loosen, Jake Huxtable, and Garret Ruckel.

The returnees will be counted upon for leadership behind players such as P/DH Clay Kollerbaum, C Matt Frank, INF Colin Monagle, INF Kevin Lehane, INF Taylor Ratliff, and INF Chris Moye.

Head Coach Terry Alexander, a Florida State Alumni, has guided the Dolphins to seven Atlantic Sun Conference titles, and will enter his 22^nd season as skipper. Alexander, who is JU’s all-time leader in wins with 695, is joined by an impressive staff that returns assistant coaches and Brian Snyder (Stetson), pitching coach Tim Montez (Pepperdine) and newcomer Talmadge Nunnari a JU alumni. All four coaches had standout baseball careers before stepping onto the Bermuda grass that covers the field at John Sessions Stadium. Once Alexander figures out the lineup, the only task remaining is to go play a very tough schedule while traveling across the country.

The 2012 Fins are planning to continue their recent success. This year’s group has the potential to be one of the better teams in JU history. The depth on the hill, returning offense, and new contributors should prove to be a winning combination. As with any team, there are obstacles to hurdle in order to reach the ultimate dream of playing in a NCAA World Series; a tough Atlantic Sun Conference schedule, a stern non-conference schedule, and a region chockfull of top 50 talents. For the Dolphins to make their mark with a College World Series berth, they must stay focused, remain injury free, and continue to build on the foundation that has been laid.

Filed Under: Baseball, Sports

Men’s Basketball Loss

January 31, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of JU Athletics

Aloys Cabell notched 22 points and four assists, as the Jacksonville University Men’s Basketball team (4-17, 2-8 A-Sun) lost an 85-71 battle to Belmont University in Atlantic Sun Conference play at the Curb Event Center.

Senior forward Delwan Graham added eight points and Glenn Powell matched the score with eight of his own. Davis finished with seven points on the night.

“We played hard. We didn’t get enough shots towards the end to create the momentum we needed,” said Cliff Warren, head coach. “Our goal is to build on the good things from tonight for our contest at Lipscomb.”

Kerron Johnson paced the Bruins (15-7, 8-2) with 21 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Blake Jenkins scored 18 and two others finished with 10 points or more in the loss.

Filed Under: Basketball, Sports

Women’s Basketball Loses

January 31, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of JU Athletics

Senior Crystal Bell led the Lady Fins with 17 points and 12 rebounds while junior Maggie Wilson scored 11 in part by going 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

Despite a combined 38 points from Bell (17), Wilson (11) and sophomore Abril Peebles (10), the Jacksonville University women’s basketball team dropped a 68-62 road decision to Belmont on Saturday at Curb Event Center. The Dolphins move to 5-6 in Atlantic Sun play this the year with the loss.

JU finished the game with a 31.4 field goal percentage (22-of-70) while the Belmont converted on 43.4 percent of their shots (23-of-53). The Dolphins out-rebounded the Bruins, 47-38. Belmont also forced JU into 19 turnovers which were turned into 16 points.

Belmont took a 28-27 lead into the half and led by five (36-31) with just under 17 minutes left. The Bruins were plagued by a 4-for-18 effort from 3-point range.

The Bruins established the largest lead for either team at 60-45 with just over three minutes in regulation. From that point, JU reeled off six straight points – three by Peebles and two by Faulhaber – over the next two minutes to get within nine at 60-51.

The remaining minutes were soaked up from the free throw line where the Lady Bruins came up big with a final score of 68-62.

Filed Under: Baseball, Sports

Women’s Basketball Winter Recap

January 25, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

The Lady Fins (7-12, 5-3 Atlantic Sun Conference) have won three in a row and six of their last eight, their longest winnings streak since they won five straight during the 2010-12 season.

Jade Cargill led three Jacksonville University women in double-figure scoring and the Dolphins took another big step in its rollercoaster season with a 76-65 victory January 19 vs. Mercer University

“The team is playing with a lot of confidence,” fourth-year guard Jessica George said. “We are playing well together and we are getting more production from more players which make us a better team overall.”

Maggie Wilson added 13 points, Crystal Bell had 13 and Tracie Sneed chipped in eight for JU.

The Dolphins won their second in a row January 14 vs. Eastern Tennessee State University 70-44 behind Abril Peeples’s game-high 19 points. Peeble’s drained three balls from downtown and was perfect from the free throw line, going 2-2.

The Fins (6-12, 4-3 A-Sun Conference), who were swept during the regular season last year by Eastern Tennessee State University (4-13, 3-4 A-Sun), remain in ninth place in the conference standings.

JU came out hot and jumped out early and built a 26-6 lead with 10:59 to play in the first half. The Lady Fins went on a scoring frenzy and left to the locker room at half with the lead of 41-20. The lead was never relinquished thanks to in part by Crystal Bell’s four three pointers and a total of 18 for the night.

Maggie Wilson had 12 points five rebounds one steal and one three. Jade Cargill led all rebounders with 15 and contributed four points to the team total.

“This win is very important to all of us, we were able to give the fans a reason to cheer, and we really came together as a team.” said Wilson.

The host Dolphins defeated the Spartans 80-72 at home on campus in the Swisher Gymnasium on Thursday. Five JU ballers registered double digits in the scoring column to secure their fifth straight home game win.

Junior Tracie Sneed led the pod of Dolphins with 21 total points, hitting 10 of her 13 foul shots and netting 14 rebounds. Sophomore Jade Cargill matched Sneed in the double-double department with 15 points and 13 boards.

Coming in third Abril Peebles added 13 points, 5 assists, 3 steels, and went a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. Maggie Wilson and Crystal Bell each scored 12 points, both connecting on 5-11 field goals to round out the scoring unit.

USC Upstate connected on just 16 of 36 attempts from the field for 44.4% and were out matched most of the night by JU’s hard-pressed defense.

Filed Under: Basketball, Sports

Men’s Basketball Nets Two in a Row

January 25, 2012 By Adam Rutkowsky Leave a Comment

The JU Dolphins men’s basketball team (4-15, 2-6 Atlantic Sun Conference) won their second game in a row after a defensive battle.

The Fins held the lead for much of the half, going ahead 30-20 at half-time January 21 vs. Kennesaw State. JU returned to play a solid second half leading by as much as 22 points and winning with a final score of 66-50, making this their second in a row.

But they had to work for it.

Senior forward, Delwan Graham led all scorers with 19 and brought down game high 12 rebounds. Shooting guard Aloys Cabell recorded 16 points, two steals, and two assists.

“Today was a solid win for our team. KSU is well coached and very fundamental. There was a lot we had to figure out, stick together and work our way through what they were doing,” said Graham.

Senior Tevin Galvin added nine points and five rebounds which helped Jacksonville own a 13-rebound advantage and scored 19 second chance points to go with 32 points in the paint.

The defense held KSU to just one deep ball and imposed 17 turnovers.

JU defeated University of South Carolina Upstate January 16 vs. USC Upstate in overtime, 77-74. Five hoopsters scored in double digits, led by Tevin Galvin’s 15 points. Delwan Graham and Glen “Big Dawg” Powell each recorded double-doubles.

“It’s a relief,” said JU head coach Cliff Warren. “We fought hard all night and executed in late game situations tonight, especially at the free throw line.”

Even with a slow start, the Dolphins managed to edge the Spartans at the half by 32-28. To start the second half Aloys Cabell laid up for two and Keith McDougald made both his free throws, putting the Fins up 36-33.

“Any kind of situation you can think of, we’ve been through it as a team. Today was nothing different,” Delwan Graham said. “I had all the confidence in the world we’d win the game. We came too far to lose.”

Upstate (10-9, 4-3 A-Sun) came back from behind to take the lead 63-57, on a couple of foul shots with 4:33 left in regulation.

At the end of regulation the score read 67-67 and it would take an additional 10 points in overtime for the Dolphins to get the victory.

Glen Powell said “That was a conference game – physical, very physical. We had to gut it out. We were only up by four at halftime, and had to come out and take what they gave us. We made a few good plays and won the game.”

Jacksonville never trailed in overtime once McDougald drained a 3-pointer on the opening possession.

Filed Under: Basketball