CARROLLTON, Ga. - West Georgia men's basketball snapped its three-game losing streak by beating Jacksonville University 87-73 today in The Coliseum.

Bouncing back from one of its coldest shooting nights of the season, UWG (11-13, 5-7 ASUN) attacked from inside the arc at a 67 percent clip in the second half to overpower the Dolphins and secure its first win over JU (9-16, 4-8 ASUN). UWG now trails the series against JU 2-1. 

"I'm just real proud of the guys," said head coach Dave Moore in the post-game press conference. "We knew it was going to be a difficult game, a really physical game. I thought the first half was that. It was a back-and-forth defensive battle, on-the-glass battle. We did a good job with second-chance points in that first half."

Shelton Williams-Dryden and JaVar Daniel both recorded double-doubles today, with the former dropping 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds and the latter scoring a career-high 18 points and pulling down ten rebounds. JU was led by Jaylen Jones' 19 points.

Kolten Griffin set the UWG record for most career starts today (117). The senior captain spoke about his time at UWG in the post-game press conference, stating, "My experience here (UWG) has been amazing. I came here when I was 20 years old. I'm 24 now, so I've pretty much grown up out here, became a man out here." He continued, "As far as Coach Moore, he's been there with me through whatever. That's somebody I love for sure. Relationship for life, him and the whole coaching staff. I kind of just grew up under them and just became a man. They helped with a lot of that. It just means a lot to be able to be in a place like this. Carrollton is a special place. It's a special school, so it just means a lot to me."

Griffin finished with 14 points, four rebounds, three assist and one steal recorded a 50 percent field goal rate (6-for-12).

Even with JU outshooting the Wolves 50 percent to 35 percent in the first half, the Pack stayed neck-and-neck with the Dolphins in the opening period thanks to 17 second chance points fueled by offensive rebounds.

Today's game kicked off with UWG committing back-to-back turnovers on the opening two possessions, but the Wolves quickly found their footing. At the first media timeout, the Pack led 8-6.

West Georgia stayed in front of the visitors by using strong and decisive ball movement to create open looks on offense. At the under 12 minute media timeout, UWG led 18-13.

With Williams-Dryden continuing to put back contested jump shots off offensive rebounds, UWG stayed in front of the Dolphins with his team-high 11 points pushing the pace. 

Over the final five minutes of the half, JU erased a five-point deficit by capitalizing on late UWG turnovers. At the break, the ASUN action was tied at 35-35 with Williams-Dryden's 15 points leading the way for the Wolves.

Hitting five of its opening six shots of the second half, UWG jumped out to a 47-38 lead at the first media timeout of the period. 

With the Wolves continuing to shoot at well over 50 percent from the field while forcing the Dolphins to take contested looks, the Pack extended its lead to 53-43 at the next media break. 

Staying away from three-point-land, the Pack benefited with a 60 percent field goal rate to continue to hold a double-digit lead at the under eight media timeout. 

UWG punished JU in the paint the rest of the way to secure a 87-73 win. Notably, 48 UWG points came from the paint today.  

The Wolves' upcoming game brings the Pack to Florence, Alabama to face off against the Lions of North Alabama next Wednesday (Feb. 11) at 7 p.m. 

 NOTABLE NUMBERS 
-Today's UWG double-doubles were Williams-Dryden's 11th and Daniel's second of the season.
-Daniel also recorded two more blocks, a steal and shot 7-for-10 from the field and 5-for-5 from the line.
-Williams-Dryden has recorded double-doubles in four of the last five games.
-Fueled by 11-for-14 (78 percent) free throw shooting, Josh Smith recorded 20 points today.
-UWG outrebounded JU 40-31.
-UWG shot 49 percent from the field, 33 percent from three and 72 percent from the line. JU shot 46 percent from the field, 25 percent from three and 68 percent from the line.