UNF falls in slugfest at GWU

Saturday, February 3

Boiling Springs, N.C.

2:00 PM

University of North Florida

GARDNER-WEBB

2/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Feb. 3, 2007

Final Stats

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The University of North Florida women's basketball team fell victim to a little bit of home cooking against a Gardner-Webb squad that hit 21-of-34 free throws in a 57-54 victory Saturday.

Gardner-Webb (9-13, 6-5 A-Sun) showed why it was one of the toughest teams in the league to beat at home, coming back from a first-half deficit to sweep the season series from UNF (6-15, 5-6 A-Sun).

Jennifer Bowen continued her hot streak for the Lady Ospreys, leading UNF with 18 points to go along with four rebounds and a couple of steals.

Gardner-Webb's Shameka Smith finished the game with a double-double, matching Bowen's 18, while pulling down 11 rebounds.

While Gardner-Webb was hitting 21-of-34 shots from the charity stripe, UNF attempted only 21 shots from the line, knocking down 13 of them.

Despite the differential from the line, UNF had two chances to tie the game in the late going after Meranda Burnett hit a free throw to put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 56-54. UNF, however, never attempted another shot, turning the ball over on its last two possessions.

Gardner-Webb led by as many as eight in the second half after coming out of the gates on a 13-3 run to open the second period of play. Jennifer Guldager and Willonda Windham led a UNF rally from there that saw UNF finally regain the advantage at 42-41 on a Bowen jumper. Those were the only two points she scored in the second half.

Tamara Hubbard, who finished the game with 11 points, carried most of the offensive load the rest of the way for UNF, scoring the team's final seven points, including four from the free throw line in the final 1:23 of play. Her final free throw gave the Lady Ospreys a 54-53 advantage with 55 seconds to play.

Candyse Kelly finally put Gardner-Webb ahead for good with a pair of free throws on the Bulldogs next trip down the court.

The teams finished even in rebounds (40) and turnovers (17). Shandrea Moore and Guldager led UNF with eight rebounds apiece, while Windham followed them up with six rebounds. UNF had nine steals on the day compared to eight for Gardner- Webb.

The Lady Ospreys went on a 9-2 run in the first five minutes of play to build a one-point advantage, before Gardner-Webb eventually grabbed an 18-13 lead on a pair of Brittany Harmon free throws. Bowen scored eight points in a row from there to help UNF build a 26-23 advantage and take a 28-26 lead into the locker room.

UNF is back in action Tuesday night when it travels to Virginia before returning home to take on Jacksonville in a SunTrust River City Rumble matchup Saturday at 2 p.m.