JACKSONVILLE, FLA – The Wofford women's basketball team fell to Jacksonville, 66-60, on Saturday afternoon in the Best Western Osprey New Year Classic at UNF Arena.
 
The Terriers led for most of the second half, but Jacksonville scored the last nine points of the game to earn the victory and improve their record to 11-4. The Dolphins were led by Brandi Buie and Christin Mercer, who scored 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Despite the loss, Wofford gained experience playing a difficult opponent, as the Dolphins were picked to win the Atlantic Sun before the season and had three players selected to the preseason all-conference team, including Mercer. Jacksonville won the A-Sun last season, earning an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
 
Chloe Wanink and Kentra Washington were the only two Wofford players to reach double figures, with each scoring 19 points. Wanink also added 10 rebounds to earn her third double-double of the season. Washington scored her season high for the second consecutive game. She also made a season high eight free throws.
 
The Dolphins jumped out to the early lead and controlled the pace through most of the first quarter. The first period was well played offensively, with both teams shooting over 50% from the floor. Once again, Wanink led the Terriers early, scoring eight points in the first.
 
Wofford kept themselves within striking range in the second quarter, going to half with a 34-30 deficit. The Terriers shot the ball well in the first half, making 52% from the field. However, the team's 10 turnovers contributed to their halftime deficit.  Wanink added four more points to lead the team at half with 12 points on 5 of 6 from the floor. Buie led the Dolphins with 15 points in the first half.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Terriers went on a 9-0 run to build a lead that they held into the fourth quarter. Washington earned nine of her 11 free throw attempts in the quarter, knocking down six of them.
 
The Terriers held a 60-57 lead with just under five minutes to play, but they failed to score in the final minutes and the Dolphins shot 57% from the field to win the game.
 
The loss is the Terriers' first of the season in a game decided by 10 points or less.
 
Up next, the Terriers will conclude their long road trip by taking on Kennesaw State on Monday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.