- Matchup: Bellarmine Knights vs. Jacksonville Dolphins
- Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
- Venue: Swisher Gymnasium, Jacksonville, FL
- Broadcast: ESPN+
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This Thursday, the Swisher Gymnasium will witness the Jacksonville Dolphins (7-12) face off against the Bellarmine Knights (6-12).
In their last encounter, the Bellarmine Knights suffered a defeat against Eastern Kentucky with a scoreline of 89-69. During this clash, Bellarmine achieved a field goal percentage of 40.0%, successfully converting 20 out of 50 attempts, including 6 from 23 beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, the Knights excelled, scoring 23 of 29 for a conversion rate of 79.3%. They recorded a total of 21 rebounds, with 8 coming from the offensive end. The team also provided 14 assists, created 11 turnovers, and made 7 steals. Defensively, they struggled, allowing Eastern Kentucky to shoot an impressive 52.8% from the floor, with 28 of 53 attempts. Eastern Kentucky provided 22 assists and 5 steals, while securing 34 rebounds (12 offensive, 22 defensive) and maintaining a free-throw shooting percentage of 76.2% by converting 16 of 21 attempts. They also had success from three-point range, hitting 17 out of 34 tries. In terms of fouls, Bellarmine committed 18, while Eastern Kentucky racked up 22.
Brian Waddell stood out in this game, achieving a field goal percentage of 42.9% and offering 3 assists in 32 minutes of play. He scored 15 points on 3 of 7 shooting.
Entering this matchup, Bellarmine holds a record of 6-12 for the season. They average 77.7 points per game (ranked 159th nationally) with a shooting efficiency of 50.4%. From beyond the arc, they hit 34.5% of their shots (136 out of 394) and 77.0% from the charity stripe. The Knights average 28.7 rebounds per game and have made 260 assists overall, landing them at 201st in the nation in this category. They turn the ball over 11.2 times a game and average 16.3 fouls per contest.
Defensively, the Knights cause 11.1 turnovers per game and commit an average of 18.1 fouls. They allow their opponents to shoot 37.7% from three-point range and rank 334th in Division 1 for points allowed per game (81.3). Their opponents shoot 47.4% from the field (505 of 1,065) and they concede 34.3 rebounds on average, which places them 330th in Division 1 for assists allowed, with a total of 301 on the season.
In their previous matchup, the Jacksonville Dolphins secured a victory against North Alabama, finishing with a score of 90-68. The Dolphins collected 24 defensive rebounds and 8 offensive rebounds, totaling 32 for the game. They turned the ball over 10 times while making 9 steals. North Alabama was called for 16 fouls, allowing Jacksonville to attempt 18 free throws, successfully making 16 for a rate of 88.9%. The Dolphins also excelled from three-point range, converting 8 of 14 attempts (57.1%). At the final whistle, Jacksonville shot 33 of 59 from the field, achieving a shooting percentage of 55.9%. North Alabama managed to convert 21 of 48 attempts (43.8%) from the field and struggled from three, hitting just 3 of 16 (18.8%), while going 23 of 30 from the charity stripe (76.7%). In total rebounds, Jacksonville permitted North Alabama to collect 19, with 4 of those being offensive.
Hayden Wood was a key contributor for the Dolphins, scoring 25 points in 27 minutes of play, adding 1 assist, hitting 8 of 12 field goals for an efficiency of 66.7%, and recording 2 rebounds.
This season, Jacksonville also sits at 7-12. They average 18.7 fouls per game and convert at 67.7% from the free-throw line. Their assist rate is 13.2 per game (263rd nationally), and they turn the ball over 12.3 times per game. The Dolphins have tallied 1,389 points so far this season, averaging 73.1 points per contest, while pulling down 34.7 rebounds per game. Offensively, Jacksonville shoots 45.0% from the field, placing them 204th in the country.
On defense, Jacksonville allows opponents to shoot 33.3% from three (128 of 384) and 71.3% from the free-throw line. They concede 13.1 assists and allow 31.5 total rebounds per game, ranking 161st and 42nd nationally, respectively. The Dolphins rank 154th in college basketball for points allowed per game, giving up 72.7, while forcing 11.4 turnovers per game and allowing a shooting percentage of 45.8% from the field (ranked 292nd in college).
Who will prevail in tonight’s NCAA showdown against the spread?
Prediction: Back Bellarmine
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