Jacksonville University’s women’s basketball team achieved a significant milestone on Saturday by defeating Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) 70-61 at Swisher Gymnasium. The victory marked the Dolphins’ first 20-win season since 2017-18 and secured their ninth consecutive win, matching the second-longest winning streak in program history. This game also represented Jacksonville’s first-ever season sweep over FGCU.
The match began with FGCU taking an early lead, but Jacksonville responded with key plays from freshman Tatum Brown, who scored a three-pointer, and Aniah Smith, who added a layup. Senior Makiya Miller contributed two points in the final minute of the first quarter to give Jacksonville a 13-12 lead.
In the second quarter, Jacksonville extended its advantage through additional scoring from Brown and sophomore Mariah Knight. A 10-0 run allowed the Dolphins to build a nine-point lead. By halftime, Jacksonville had outscored FGCU 20-11 in the period for a double-digit margin.
The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets as Jacksonville maintained its edge. Junior Carmaya Bowman scored twice early in the period, while Miller added another three-pointer. Brown’s jumper late in the quarter put Jacksonville ahead by twelve points before FGCU reduced the deficit to nine entering the fourth.
FGCU narrowed the gap with an 8-2 run at the start of the final quarter but could not overtake Jacksonville. Miller ended that surge with free throws and another three-pointer. Graduate student Priscilla Williams also made crucial free throws late in the game, helping secure victory for Jacksonville after Brown assisted Mychal White for a layup with forty seconds remaining.
Head Coach Special Jennings reflected on her team’s accomplishments: “I took this job at Jacksonville University to bring this program back to prominence and to compete for championships or at least give ourselves a chance to do that. I’m thankful to be here. And these young ladies, every young lady on this roster wants to be here. They’re here for that particular reason, to compete for titles. When everyone is rowing in the same direction, it makes things a little bit easier. I’m just thankful to my players. You don’t get 20 wins without the players. This is about them, it’s been about them. They’re realizing that and we’re peaking at the right time.”
Jennings commented further on facing strong competition: “Coach Raina, that’s my girl. I love her through and through. If it’s not me, it’s her, I’m always going to root for her. These are the games you want to play in. These are the games you see if you can compete for championships. Because if so, these are the teams that we’re going to have to beat. So I’m proud of my ladies and their effort. Team victory, they played hard. We weren’t perfect, but we were really good.”
She also praised Tatum Brown’s performance: “Winners make winning plays. She’s phenomenal. She comes from a great program, won a state championship with Grayson High School. That kid is a winner. I’m happy she’s on my side, and I’m happy she’s just a freshman. We get to watch her develop and she’s great. She’s going to be amazing.”
Jacksonville will next face Stetson University in DeLand on Wednesday evening in their penultimate regular-season game.
