Mercer up next for Ospreys

Sunday, January 11

UNF Arena

2 p.m.

University of North Florida

Mercer

Germaine Sparkes pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in his last outing.

1/10/2009 4:25:10 PM | Men's Basketball

UNF looks for second-straight win at home against Bears

By: Shawn LaFata

Game Notes

After wrapping up its first win in Atlantic Sun Conference play this season with a convincing win against Kennesaw State, the University of North Florida men's basketball team will look to continue to keep building when it hosts Mercer on Sunday.

UNF (3-12, 1-4 A-Sun) captured a 66-44 victory in its last outing, dominating on the defensive end and allowing Kennesaw State only 16 points in the second half. The Ospreys also controlled the boards, winning that battle 48-33. Germaine Sparks corralled 13 of those rebounds to set a career-high in the win.

Mercer (7-8, 1-3 A-Sun) hasn't had a lot of luck in Jacksonville the last couple of years and that streaked continued on Friday night when the Jacksonville Dolphins downed the Bears 80-59. Three players scored in double figures for Mercer, led by James Florence's 20 points. The Bears trailed JU by 14 points at halftime and never could get any momentum going in the second half.

After getting wins in its first three outings, including victories at Alabama and Auburn, Mercer has cooled down considerably and comes to UNF Arena losers of its last three.

UNF completed a homecoming sweep for the men's and women's basketball teams in its last outing against Mercer. Senior James Grimball notched a double-double for the Ospreys in helping lead his squad to a 70-61 win.

When: Sunday, 2 p.m.

Where: UNF Arena

Admission: Adults: $5, Staff/Osprey Club: $3, Youth (13-17): $3, Seniors (55+): $3; Students: free with UNF ID

On the Air: ASUN.TV/ 1320-AM WBOB (Coverage begins at 1:45)

Web: Live stats

UNF's Record: 3-12, 1-4 A-Sun

Mercer's Record: 7-8, 1-3 A-Sun

Series: Mercer leads 5-1

Who's Hot: UNF put four players in double figures for the first time this season against Kennesaw State … the Ospreys also set a season-high with 48 rebounds against the Owls … Matt Sauey scored 15 points and had three blocks against KSU, while Germaine Sparkes pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds.

Gameday Notables: A UNF win would give the Ospreys their first winning streak in conference play this season, give UNF two wins in a row against Mercerand give the team its third win at home in its last four outings at home … freshman Matt Sauey owned the paint against Kennesaw State, finishing the game with 15 points after hitting 7-of-9 shots from the field. He also had five rebounds … UNF's win against Kennesaw State snapped the team's four-game losing streak … the Ospreys' 66-44 final win against KSU proved to be UNF's largest margin of victory against an A-Sun opponent and an NCAA Division I foe.