University of North Florida
Francis Marion
UNF Defends Nest in Thanksgiving Classic
2/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 26, 2004) - The University of North Florida women's basketball team captured its largest win ever against Francis Marion Saturday, downing the Patriots 56-44 in opening-day play of the Lady Osprey Thanksgiving Classic.
Alana Mountfield and Kayla Sheldon each scored in double figures for UNF (3-0), which won its third matchup in a row against FMU (1-3) and third straight to open the 2004-05 season.
The win was also the 18th in a row for the Lady Ospreys at UNF Arena.
Francis Marion overcame an early 14-point deficit, cutting the Lady Osprey lead to six on a pair of Creshenda Singletary free throws. Jackie Beik, however, answered with her second 3-pointer of the season to stretch the lead to 47-38. UNF outscored the Patriots 9-6 from there, earning most of its points on the free throw line.
UNF got off to a quick start and looked like it might coast to the win, after grabbing a 10-0 lead and increasing that 16-2. FMU countered from there with a 19-9 run to cut the lead to 25-21. Sheldon led the early charge for UNF, scoring nine of her 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting beyond the 3-point arc.
North Florida held a 30-23 advantage at the halftime break.
Sheldon's final two points came in the second half on a backdoor layup.
Alana Mountfield led the Lady Ospreys with 12 points, while Jackie Beik contributed nine points and nine rebounds. Brittney Davis struggled on the offensive end with Francis Marion center Shavone Mack but contributed on the other side, pulling down nine of her 11 rebounds on the defensive end.
Singletary led all players with 19 points, finishing 6-of-11 from the field. Michelle Ghere and Danielle Moore each collected four rebounds to lead Francis Marion.
UNF held a 36-33 advantage on the boards, while FMU turned the ball over 24 times, compared to only 14 for the Lady Ospreys.
The Lady Osprey Thanksgiving Classic concludes on Saturday with Francis Marion taking on Rollins at 2 p.m., followed by UNF and Bowie State at 4 p.m.
