University of North Florida
Columbus State
UNF's 2-Game Winning Streak Snapped
2/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ga. (January 26, 2005) - The University of North Florida men's basketball team saw its two-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night at Columbus State, falling 88-79.
CSU (12-5, 5-2 PBC) took the season series with UNF (7-14, 2-5 PBC), winning both in Jacksonville and at home at the Lumpkin Center.
Six different Ospreys scored in double figures and UNF tied its third-best offensive output this season. It wasn't enough, however, to combat a Columbus State team that hit 28-of-38 free throws and out-rebounded UNF 48-32.
"They beat us on the boards," said UNF coach Matt Kilcullen. "We didn't get consistent scoring from everybody on the floor and in the end they wore us down."
The Ospreys were without starter Riley Didion for most of the first half after he went to the sideline with a cut to his face. UNF was also without Didion, Donny Lotz and Anthony Earl in the last minute after they fouled out of the game.
Lotz led UNF with 15 points, followed by Ashwell (14), Derrick Scott (13), Chris Timberlake (12), Didion (11) and Carl McNally (11).
UNF and Columbus State went into the locker room tied 40-40 at the half, but the Cougars opened up a double-digit lead and put the game away late to stay on top of the Peach Belt South.
CSU took a five-point lead early in the second half, but the Ospreys hung tight, pulling within three on a pair of Lotz free throws. Jack Tinkler put the Cougars up by nine with a 3-pointer at the 1:27 mark and CSU sealed the game at the free throw line from there.
Yandel Brown, the leading scorer in the nation, led Columbus State with 22 points. Tinkler followed him with 15.
Ashwell and CSU's Will Davis finished tied with a game high seven rebounds.
The Ospreys return to action on Saturday when they host PBC North foe Lander at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
