The ETSU Lady Bucs came ready to play at their Thursday, Feb. 9, afternoon game against the Dolphins of Jacksonville University.
Though it was their first time playing in the Mini-Dome in a month, they showed no signs of struggle with the atmosphere and made a strong appearance on their home court.
The game started out with a bang when B.J. Banjo got a steal and then the lay-up on a fast break a few minutes into the contest.
The JU Dolphins applied pressure early by using a full court press in an attempt to rattle the Bucs’ offense.
Defense was a huge part of ETSU’s success in the first half; they held JU to a 27 percent field goal percentage, while shooting 50 percent themselves.
The Bucs continued to dominate JU throughout the first half on the boards as well. They out-rebounded their opponent 19 to 9.
This defensive supremacy, in addition to making a proficient 10 of 12 of their foul shots, propelled the Bucs past the Dolphins early in the first half. As the teams headed to their locker rooms, ETSU lead Jacksonville, 40- 23.
The Bucs’ energy never waned in the second half, which they began with intense defense.
Their defensive pressure held the Dolphins scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the half. Eventually JU found their stroke and the Bucs spent the majority of the time trading baskets with them.
The Dolphins never really got rolling though, and ETSU sat on a comfortable lead for much of the second half.
The Bucs got a boost in the post from Candace Gibson, who ended with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucs had two other players in double figures, including Banjo and Michelle DeVault.
This win was a big one for the Lady Bucs who had been on a two game losing streak, “It feels great . It gives us some momentum going into Saturday,” said Banjo after the game.

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