Long range unfriendly to Lady Ospreys

Saturday, November 22

Hammond, La.

4 p.m.

University of North Florida

Southeastern Louisiana University

Senior Jennifer Guldagger grabbed a team-high seven rebounds

11/22/2008 7:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

UNF made just two 3-pointers; Southeastern hit 11

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

Box Score

HAMMOND, La. – Increased defensive intensity in the second half helped the University of North Florida women's basketball team try to erase a 14-point first half deficit on Saturday, but Southeastern Louisiana's sharp shooting and Quantae Thomas's 23 points lifted the Lady Lions to a 66-46 win.

"Our defensive intensity was absolutely fantastic in the second half, but it was too little, too late," UNF head coach Mary Tappmeyer said. "It is tough to climb out of a 14-point hole, especially on the road."

UNF (0-3) found the bottom of the net from behind the arc just twice in 12 tries in the contest with both coming from the hands of freshman Jadhken Kerr. Southeastern (1-2) buried 11 long-range attempts, shooting .654 from 3-point land for the game. Thomas ended with five from down town while Kim Edmondson went a perfect 4-for-4 from long range.

Kerr connected on a jumper from long range for the Lady Ospreys' first three points of the match, and UNF took a 5-1 lead after Syquio added a layup. The Lady Lions scored the next 12 points of the contest to gain the lead at 13-5.

"We were scattered offensively and didn't execute on that end," Tappmeyer said. "We couldn't create an easy scoring opportunity."

Thomas exploded for 19 of Southeastern's 44 first-half points, drilling four 3-point buckets. With her team trailing 5-1, she popped three consecutive from behind the arc. The Lady Lions drained .484 percent of their field goals in the first half, including half of their attempts behind the 3-point line.

UNF picked up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding Southeastern to 11 points in the first 12 minutes. However, the Lady Ospreys had their own struggles on the offensive end of the court, hitting only two baskets and a free throw during that same stretch.

The Lady Lions out rebounded the Lady Ospreys 42-34 in the contest, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds in the second half. Southeastern finished with 20 second chance points and 29 points off 24 Lady Osprey turnovers. Southeastern committed just 11 turnovers.

Freshman Brittany Kirkland matched Kerr's team-high 10 points with three field goals and a perfect showing at the free throw line (4-for-4). Senior Jennifer Guldager topped the team with seven rebounds. Kerr saw a career-high 32 minutes in the game.

"We've got to get back to work and ride the roller coaster," Tappmeyer said. "We must work on using our other options on offense. Tonight, when our first couple of options were taken away, we struggled to explore our other possibilities, which is something we must improve."

The Lady Ospreys return to UNF Arena for their next contest on Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. against Wofford.