University of North Florida
Francis Marion
Long-Awaited Win
2/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2005) - The University of North Florida women's basketball team captured a long-overdue win in Peach Belt Conference play Saturday, defeating Francis Marion 56-39 at UNF Arena.
With the victory, the Lady Ospreys (7-10, 1-5 PBC) snapped their seven-game losing streak and defeated FMU (6-11, 2-4 PBC) for the second time this season.
"It's a big relief to come out and get a win today," UNF coach Mary Tappmeyer said. "Our starters played really well and we got quality minutes off the bench from some of our reserves."
Three separate Lady Ospreys scored in double figures, led by Karli Knudsen who set a career high with 17 points. Knudsen knocked down 4-of-6 shots beyond the 3-point arc and hit 6-of-11 overall.
Jackie Beik followed her with 11 points, while Alana Mountfield scored 10.
UNF also got it done on the defensive end, forcing FMU into 30 turnovers and creating 22 steals. Creshenda Singletary scored 19 points on the Lady Ospreys in the teams' first meeting this season, but could only tally 11 on Saturday.
UNF came out of the gates quick, taking a 6-0 lead before Knudsen's first 3-pointer put the Lady Ospreys up 11-3. Francis Marion countered with back-to-back 3-pointers from Brittany Young and Jennifer Dewell, before a Sarah Wallace 3-pointer made it a 15-9 UNF advantage.
Wallace finished the game with six points off the bench, scoring all of her points from long range.
Chelsea Headley was also forced to contribute more than usual off the bench after leading scorer Brittney Davis went to the sideline with two fouls in the first half and a quick foul in the second. Headley finished the game with seven points and five rebounds, while Davis scored five points to go along with four rebounds.
Beik helped make up for Davis' absence underneath with a team high three blocks.
The Lady Ospreys continued to build on their 33-19 halftime advantage when back-to-back 3-pointers by Knudsen sparked a 12-4 run that sealed the victory for the Lady Ospreys.
FMU's 39 points tied a season low for a UNF opponent this season. The Lady Ospreys also held Flagler to 39 points in the team's opener.
Francis Marion won the rebounding battle 34-29, marking the first time UNF has won a game this season in which it did not win the battle on the boards. Jennifer Howard had a game high seven rebounds for the Patriots, while Jamala Mitchell led UNF with six.
UNF returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Columbus State to try to avenge an earlier loss this season to the Lady Cougars. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with radio coverage on 1010-AM WIOJ joined in progress at 6 p.m. The Lady Ospreys return home next Saturday at 2 p.m. to take on defending PBC champ Lander.
