Next Game:
Lipscomb University
1/3/2026 | 2:00 PM
ESPN+
Jan. 03 (Sat) / 2:00 PM
Lipscomb University
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In the opening stanza of the Atlantic Sun Conference season, the Jacksonville Dolphins fell on their home floor to the Austin Peay Governors, 71-65.
The Dolphins (8-4, 0-1 ASUN) were led by a strong performance from graduate student guard Priscilla Williams. The second-year ‘Phin led the way with 23 points, her second 20-point game of the season and third-straight game with at least 14 points.
She also did a little bit of everything on the stat sheet, adding five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. She’s now recorded at least one stat in all five major categories four times this season.
The Governors started strong, but Jacksonville found its offense to keep in striking distance. Freshman Aniah Smith drove to the paint before kicking it out to Williams for a triple to get JU on the board.
Smith added a pair of baskets and Williams earned an and-one, three-point play to add to Jacksonville’s tally.
Austin Peay pushed its lead as high as 16 points in the second quarter before a spirited Dolphins made it a one-score game before the break. From the 6:10 mark in the second, it was all Jacksonville.
Freshman Tatum Brown put in a layup, and Williams added a pair from the free throw line the next possession. Williams and senior Kali Howard each added a pair of buckets in the second quarter, and senior guard Makiya Miller drilled a triple from the top of the key as JU cut the deficit to 34-31 at halftime.
The third quarter played more like the opener, with the Governors keeping Jacksonville at a distance, taking a 10-point lead into the break. Williams started the comeback for JU in the fourth with a triple.
The Dolphins took care of business from the free-throw line to inch closer, with Howard cutting the deficit back to three, 61-58. After an Austin Peay bucket, Williams scored a pair of free throws to keep the game at three points.
Even as the Governors tried to pull away, Williams kept Jacksonville close with a triple with 0:34. Austin Peay tacked on a free throw, then sophomore Comari Mitchell cashed in a layup off an assist from sophomore Mychal White to make the deficit two points.
The Dolphins couldn’t close the final gap, though, as the Governors closed out the game with a pair of successful trips to the line.
Game Notes
- Howard finished with 13 points, the second most in her career. She’s scored double-digit points in back-to-back games for the second time this season and in her career.
- Three Dolphins recorded multiple steals.
- Jacksonville has scored at least 65 points in all but three games this season.
Up Next
The Dolphins will close the opening week of ASUN play against the Lipscomb Bisons Saturday for Jacksonville’s Community Day presented by Bono’s BBQ. Tip-off is slated for 2 PM at Historic Swisher Gymnasium.