University of North Florida
UNC Pembroke
Late Turnover Costs UNF
2/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PEMBROKE, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2005) - The University of North Florida women's basketball team overcame a 10-point second half deficit, but committed a critical turnover late in the game in a 57-51 loss at UNC Pembroke on Saturday.
After scoring a season high 85 points in a win on Wednesday night and shooting better than 54 percent from the field, the Lady Ospreys (9-11, 3-7 PBC) only shot 32 percent from the floor.
Despite that, UNF kept itself in the game down to the wire. Karli Knudsen, however, was called for traveling after coming open on a 3-poing attempt with UNF trailing by two in the closing seconds of play. Tracey Lightfoot hit two free throws on the other end to help seal the win.
"Consistency has been a problem for us, we've had a rollercoaster season," UNF head coach Mary Tappmeyer said. "We didn't come ready to play and we got beat."
UNCP (12-9, 4-6 PBC) stretched a five-point halftime lead to 10 in the opening minute of the second half, forcing the Lady Ospreys to play catch up most of the second frame.
Knudsen hit four shots beyond the 3-point arc to help UNF rally and take a 44-43 lead. Knudsen led all scorers with 20 points, hitting 6-of-10 shots from long range.
UNCP countered with a 5-0 run to take the lead back, but Brittney Davis topped off a 5-0 UNF run to give the Lady Ospreys their final lead of the game at 49-48.
A Kristin Vaughan jumper gave the Lady Braves a 51-49 lead and UNCP never trailed again.
Danielle Richardson led UNCP with 18 points, while Lindsay Bartholf had 13. Knudsen was the only Lady Osprey in double figures. Kayla Sheldon, Tamara Hubbard and Davis finished with eight for UNF. Davis also had a team high eight rebounds. UNCP out-rebounded UNF 36-34 for the game.
Both Knudesn and Hubbard knocked down a couple of 3-pointers in the opening half to help the Lady Ospreys keep pace with Pembroke. Sheldon sat down for almost the last five minutes of the half after picking up two fouls. The offense went cold from there, scoring only four points in her absence to trail 28-23 at the break.
After posting 15 baskets beyond the 3-point arc in a win Wednesday night, UNF continued to live outside, scoring 15 points from long range on 5-of-15 shooting in the first half.
UNF will stay on the road next week when it travels to Armstrong Atlantic State on Wednesday. The Lady Ospreys return home next Saturday to take on Kennesaw State at 2 p.m.
