Two in a row on Lady Ospreys' minds

Saturday, January 24

Fort Myers, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University

The Lady Ospreys picked up their first road win Thursday at Stetson

1/23/2009 2:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

UNF travels to Florida Gulf Coast for 7 p.m. tip Saturday

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

Game Notes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With its recent slump a thing of the past, the University of North Florida women's basketball team will attempt to make a new streak and for the second-straight game win on a court where it has never done so when it faces Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

UNF (3-15, 2-7 A-Sun) put an end to its 12-game losing streak, picked up its first road win of the season and won for the first time ever at Stetson Thursday night, 62-52. The Lady Ospreys scored more than 60 points for just the second time this season, making the team's record 2-0 when breaking the 60-point mark (71-60 win against Wofford).

FGCU (13-4, 6-3) brings the highest overall win total and top scoring offense in the A-Sun to Saturday's matchup. The Eagles feature three of the league's top-20 scorers in Adrianne McNally (3^rd at 15.1 ppg), Chelsea Lyles (7^th at 12.8 ppg) and Kelsey Jacobson (20^th at 10.0 ppg). McNally also averages 6.2 rebounds per game, which is 10^th in the conference while Lyles pulls down a league 15^th-best 5.6 boards per game.

Currently sitting in third place in the A-Sun standings, FGCU boasts a four-game winning steak with the most recent triumph a 64-56 decision against Jacksonville Thursday night. After opening the season with an 88-86 against Florida, the Eagles dropped their A-Sun opener to Stetson before rebounding with a five-game upswing, which included league wins against Campbell and Lipscomb.

Also in the top-25 in A-Sun scoring, UNF freshman Brittany Kirkland averages 9.1 points per game, which ranks tied for 23^rd. Fellow freshman Kayla Mobley shares the 13^th-best rebounding average in the league with 5.7 per game. Kirkland also ranks 14^th with 2.5 assists per game, while sophomore Juliemay Syquio places 11^th with 1.83 steals per contest.

Last season marked the only two meetings between the Lady Ospreys and Eagles. UNF used 21 points and 11 rebounds by junior Shennette Sheffield to take a 63-47 win in the first matchup at UNF Arena before FGCU avenged the loss by posting a 70-39 win on its home floor the season finale.

When: Thursday, Jan. 24 – 7 p.m.

Where: Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)

Admission: Adult – $10

ASUN.TV: Click here (coverage begins at 6:45 p.m.)

Live Stats: Click here (begins at 7 p.m.)

UNF's Record: 3-15 (2-7 A-Sun)

FGCU's Record: 13-4 (6-3 A-Sun)

Series: Tied, 1-1

Last Meeting: March 1, 2008 (FGCU won 70-39 in Fort Myers, Fla.)

Who's Hot: Kirkland connected for career numbers in several categories against Stetson. She netted 24 points, played 39 minutes, attempted 19 field goals, drained 10 shots, grabbed five rebounds and added four steals. She scored 13 points in the second half, including seven in the final two and a half minutes.

Quoting Coach Tappmeyer: "The girls finally saw their defensive efforts translate into some scoring opportunities. We didn't convert all the chances early, but the team felt good about the pressure they applied on the defensive end. Now we will do what we have been doing all season. We will get back to work and try to make improvements each and every day."

Gameday Notables: UNF is in its final season of the four-year transition into Division I … the Lady Ospreys are 4-2 all-time when playing on Jan. 24 … UNF snapped the program's longest losing streak of 12 games Thursday with a 62-52 win against Stetson .. the series between UNF and FGCU is tied at 1-1 with both teams winning on their home floor … a win would be the second on the road for UNF this season and the second straight in a venue where the Lady Ospreys have never won … the Lady Ospreys are coming off their best finish since entering the transitional period, finishing with a 13-16 overall record and 8-8 A-Sun record in 2007-08 … seniors Jennifer Bowen and Jennifer Guldager have been with the team through every season of the reclassification process.