Blue Hose Drop Season-Opener at Jacksonville
December 2, 2020
 
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The Jacksonville men's basketball team led by as much as 24 points in the second half and shot over 55% to take a 78-65 win over Presbyterian College Wednesday night in Jacksonville, Fla. Blue Hose freshman Rayshon Harrison made an impressive debut with 17 points and nine rebounds.
 
Scoring the Game
A Zeb Graham three-pointer at 18:21 gave the Blue Hose a 3-2 lead, though it was short-lived as the Dolphins outscored PC 17-6 over the next 10 minutes to build a 19-9 lead, 8:37 remaining. Graham 's layup at 7:59 ended a nearly six-minute scoring drought and cut the margin to 11-19.
 
After a JU 9-0 run put the Dolphins ahead 28-14, 4:43 on the clock, the Blue Hose, sparked by a three-pointer from Rayshon Harrison, scored seven unanswered to cut into the lead, 21-28, 3:29 left. Both teams traded baskets the final three-and-a-half minutes with the Dolphins heading to the locker room leading 35-27.
 
The Blue Hose made it a six-point game early in the second half, but a 7-0 run by the Dolphins put the home team ahead, 46-33, 15:48 remaining. Capped by eight in a row, JU extended its lead to 60-39, 11:07 on the clock. The Dolphins continued to keep the Blue Hose from mounting a comeback, leading by as much as 24, 76-52, 1:40 left. PC closed out the half and game with a 13-2 run, led by Owen McCormack with two three-pointers, to make it a 13-point game at the end, 65-78.
 
 
Players of the Game
Rayshon Harrison led PC with 17 points and nine rebounds, with Zeb Graham recording 15 points. Jacksonville had four players in double-figures and was led by Dontarius James with 18 points, with Mo Arnold controlling the boards for the Dolphins with eight.
 
Stats of the Game
Jacksonville shot 55.6%, compared to 41.4% for PC.  The Dolphins edged the Blue Hose in rebounds 35-33. Turnovers were fairly even with PC posting 22, to JU's 19. The Blue Hose hit nine three-pointers, with JU posting seven. The Dolphins controlled the paint 40-26, with PC earning a 16-5 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Notables
- Rayshon Harrison, in his collegiate debut, scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds. He went four-of-seven from the perimeter.
 
For the Record
The Blue Hose drop their first game to go to 0-1, Jacksonville improves to 3-0.
 
Up Next
The Blue Hose face Wofford Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m., in their home opener.
 
How to follow
Fans can follow at www.GoBlueHose.com, and @BlueHoseHoops.