UNF can't get by Savannah State

Wednesday, February 20

Savannah, Ga.

7:00 PM

University of North Florida

SAVANNAH STATE

Shennette Sheffield scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

2/20/2008 9:56:06 PM | Women's Basketball

Lady Ospreys finish road trip 2-2

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. – University of North Florida forward Shennette Sheffield scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough to help the Lady Ospreys overcome Savannah State in a 53-42 loss at Tiger Arena.

UNF (11-14) shot 22.2 percent from the field in the second half of play and hit only 1-of-9 3-pointers in the game. The Savannah State (13-15) win gave the Tigers a split of the season series with UNF.

Savannah State's LaShara Smith led all players with 17 points, while Ivory Smith followed her with 13. The Tigers shot 39 percent from the field for the game and converted 18 points off of UNF's 31 turnovers.

UNF's Jennifer Bowen, who had been averaging more than 18 points a game in her last three outings, was held in check, scoring only five points and hitting 1-of-6 shots from the field.

The Lady Ospreys led the contest early, taking a 10-2 advantage after Brittany Jones hit a pair of free throws at the 14:37 mark of the first half. UNF maintained that lead for most of the half until Savannah State went on a 14-1 run and eventually took a five-point lead on an Ivy Smith layup. Smith did most of her damage in the first half, scoring nine points, which helped the Tigers to a 28-24 lead at the break.

Savannah State never relinquished that lead in the second half, building it up to as many as 14 points late in the game. UNF pulled within three points at the 13:13 mark, then came as close as six in the final 10 minutes, but never could pull even with the Tigers.

Tiffany Williams, Shandrea Moore and Jones each scored six points for the Lady Ospreys in the effort, with Moore knocking down the team's only 3-point shot of the night. Bowen and Guldager each had five rebounds to follow Sheffield, helping UNF to a 37-30 advantage on the boards. Eighteen of UNF's rebounds came on the offensive end.

UNF ends its four-game road swing with a 2-2 record, earning wins at Belmont and Lipscomb before falling in its last two games to Jacksonville and Savannah State.

The Lady Ospreys will get a break from the road this weekend when they host Mercer on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game is part of UNF's homecoming festivities and will also feature a celebration of UNF's 25 years of athletics.