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Queens University of Charlotte
2/19/2026 | 6:30 PM
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Feb. 19 (Thu) / 6:30 PM
 Queens University of Charlotte
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Freshman guard Aniah Smith received the ball in the paint, rode hard to the cup and finished through contact, letting out a scream as her shot hit twine for two points. Her three-point play capped off a resilient second half that powered the Jacksonville Dolphins to their seventh-straight win.
Jacksonville (18-7, 10-4 ASUN) defeated cross-town rivals North Florida 58-52 Saturday afternoon in the first River City Rumble of 2026. The Dolphins were led by Smith’s 16 points in the win.
It wasn’t always easy, though, as the Ospreys struck first. North Florida raced to an 18-8 first quarter lead as the Dolphins tried to find their footing early in the game.Â
Things slowly settled in the second quarter. Smith started it off, knocking down a 3-pointer off a dime from graduate student Priscilla Williams. After UNF answered, Jacksonville native Kimora Hester got on the board in her hometown rivalry, pulling the Dolphins closer.
After the Ospreys hit another triple, Jacksonville finally found its first real run of the game. Freshman Tatum Brown started it off, knocking down a pair from the free throw line. Williams pushed the ball, scanning the court and finding junior Sharmela Reid for two more.
Smith capped off the run, scoring a pull-up jumper to pull the Dolphins within five. Another UNF triple quieted the storm, but Jacksonville pushed through to halftime. The Dolphins scored seven points in the final 1:40 of the half, with Williams hitting a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.
North Florida scored one final basket, and the hosts took a 29-26 lead into halftime.
Williams found Reid again early in the second half, tying the game up at 32. With all of the momentum on their side, the Dolphins took their first lead of the game when Brown drilled a 3-pointer.
Jacksonville pushed its lead up to five as sophomore guard Comari MItchell got to the paint and finished through contact for an and-one. The Ospreys rallied, though, retaking the lead 39-38 late in the third.
The Dolphins did what they do best and got to the paint for two sets of free throws. After Smith cashed in a pair of attempts from the line, Jacksonville went into the final quarter tied at 42.
Jacksonville saved its best for the final period, finally unlocking its offense and taking over the game in its final period. North Florida scored an early free throw, and the rest of the quarter belonged to the Dolphins.
Williams drove the ship, dishing it off to Smith for a quick layup. After two free throws of her own, she found Mitchell open inside for another quick two. The run was only halfway done for Jacksonville.
Junior Carmaya Bowman added a point from the foul line, then Mitchell owned the paint with an offensive board and putback bucket. Smith’s late and-one put the Dolphins up double-digits, then two more Williams free throws gave Jacksonville a 13-point lead late.
In all, JU raced off a 14-0 fourth quarter run to blow the game wide open. The Ospreys scored a few late baskets, but the result was secure as the Dolphins secured the first leg of this year’s River City Rumble.
Game Notes
Smith finished with 15-plus points for the fourth time this season.
Williams recorded a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double. She has an ASUN-leading 10 double-doubles this season.
Jacksonville’s seven-game winning streak is the longest since the Dolphins rattled off eight at the end of the 2017-18 season.
JU dominated the glass once again, winning the rebounding battle 46-31.
Head Coach Special Jennings
On slow start and battling back
“I feel like we were a little tired today. We were kind of tired, but credit to North Florida, they came out ready to play. But we’re no one’s Cinderella. We have to come out and match energy from the tip. Once we figured it out at half time, we were better.
On late 14-0 run
“It was huge in a game like this, a rivalry game. There’s emotions and feelings and all of these things, but we knew we had to go on a run. I didn’t know when it was gonna come, I just know it needed to.
We kept chipping away and doing the things that make us who we are. We got a couple of steals, transition points. When we’re ourselves, we’re a really good team.”
Up Next
The Dolphins will host a pair of home games next week, starting with the Queens Royals on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM.