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JU, UNF women's basketball clash in River City Rumble
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- JU, UNF women's basketball clash in River City Rumble
Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida must shake off disappointing losses to other state ASUN opponents in a hurry before they close the regular season with the second edition of the women's basketball River City Rumble on Feb. 27 at JU's Swisher Gym (6:30 p.m., ESPN+).
In reality, there's not much at stake other than the usual First Coast bragging rights. The Dolphins (20-8, 12-5) lost 85-81 at Stetson on Feb. 25 to snap a nine-game winning streak but with losses by West Georgia and North Alabama, clinched a top-four seed and a first-round bye for the ASUN Tournament that begins March 3 at UNF Arena and the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Jacksonville University senior guard Priscilla Williams (right) tries to control the ball with University of North Florida sophomore guard Alexa Washington (left) pressuring during their game on Feb. 14 at UNF Arena. The Dolphins won 58-52 and will host the Ospreys on Feb. 27 at Swisher Gym.
JU is in a three-way tie with Stetson and Central Arkansas for second place, behind Eastern Kentucky (14-3), which clinched the regular-season title and the top seed in the tournament with a 67-54 victory over Austin Peay on Feb. 25.
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The first tie-breaker for seeding purposes is head-to-head. JU split with Stetson and went 1-0 vs. Central Arkansas, and Stetson and UCA split.
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The second tie-breaker is NCAA Net rankings after the regular season is over and UCA was 104th, JU 136th, and Stetson 176th before the games of Feb. 25. Stetson plays at Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 27, and Central Arkansas hosts Queens.
UNF (9-19, 4-13), is tied for 10th place in the ASUN with Queens after a 58-55 loss at home to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 25. The Ospreys hold the first tie-breaker against Queens by virtue of winning both head-to-head meetings but are playing a first-round game at JU's Swisher Gym on March 3, regardless of what happens.
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What happened in the last games for JU, UNF?
The Dolphins roared past Stetson with a 35-point third quarter, erasing a 40-26 halftime deficit. Senior guard Priscilla Williams scored 12 of her team-high 25 points in that period, converting a pair of 3-point plays and junior forward Carmaya Bowman scored all nine of her points in that period.
However, the Hatters' graduate senior guard Mary McMillian went on a tear in the fourth period, scoring 19 of her 29 points, including two 3-point plays, a 3-point shot and 10 of 10 free throws. Her 3-point play with 2:24 left capped a 15-4 run and gave Stetson a 76-71 lead.
JU got within two points on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Comari Mitchell with 14 seconds left. Bowman made a steal and fed Williams underneath, but Williams missed the layup.
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The Ospreys, who haven't beaten FGCU since Feb. 1, 2018, lost their 18th in a row to the Eagles, and the second this season by four or less points. The game was tied 17 times, the last time at 55-55 with 41 seconds left. Gulf Coast scored the game's last three points on free throws and UNF's Jamison Cardwell missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer.
Junior guard Alonya Waldon led the Ospreys with 14 points and freshman guard Dezuray McGill had 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
River City Rumble women's basketball
When:Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.
Where:Swisher Gym, Jacksonville University.
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Records:JU 20-8 (12-5 ASUN, tied for second); UNF 9-19 (4-13 ASUN, tied for 10th)
Series record:JU leads 29-14. The Dolphins have an 11-9 edge at UNF Arena.
Most recent JU lineup:G Priscilla Williams (15.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg), G Makiya Miller (7.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg), G Tatum Brown (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), F Carmaya Bowman (6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), F Comari Mitchell (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
Most recent UNF lineup:G Jamisyn Stinson (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg), G Alonya Waldon (11.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg), G Alexa Washington (8.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), G Karyzma Pierre (4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), F Dezuray McGill (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg).
Notable:Freshman guard Aniah Smith scored 16 points off the bench and Williams added 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead the Dolphins to a 58-52 victory at UNF Arena in the last meeting. McGill led the Ospreys with 15 points and sophomore guard Jamisyn Stinson added 11 points and seven rebounds. ... The game was tied 42-42 entering the fourth quarter. ... Dolphins coach Special Jennings and Ospreys coach Erika Lambert both took over in 2024. Jennings has a 4-1 lead in the Rumble. ... JU has won six of the last nine games vs. UNF but since breaking a 14-game losing streak in 2020, UNF has gone 7-7 vs. JU.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: JU, UNF women's basketball: River City Rumble preview
