Ospreys Garner First Win of the Year, Down Bethune-Cookman 75-57

Tuesday, November 24

UNF Arena

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

Bethune Cookman

Ospreys Garner First Win of the Year, Down Bethune-Cookman 75-57

11/24/2009 9:45:14 PM | Women's Basketball

BOX SCORE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida women's basketball team started out the game on a 9-0 run against Bethune-Cookman and never looked back in downing the Wildcats 75-57 Tuesday night at UNF Arena.

It was the first win of the year for North Florida who improves to 1-3 after facing two Big East squads and an ACC team in its first three games. Two of those teams are ranked in the top 25. Bethune-Cookman fell to 1-3 on the year.

North Florida led by as many as 20 points twice in the first half, with the latest being 34-14 with 4:26 to go before the break. UNF went into the half with a 13 point lead at 40-27.

The Wildcats cut the North Florida lead to 10 points three times in the second half, with the last being at the 4:55 mark, but that was as close as BCU would get. The Ospreys pushed the lead back to 20 points twice in the last minute of the game.

Senior forward Arlande Cherizol led the way for UNF notching North Florida's first double-double of the year with a team-high 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Two other North Florida players also scored in double digit points with senior center Shennette Sheffield scoring 15 and sophomore guard Brittany Kirkland dropping in 11. Junior guard Juliemay Syquio paced UNF with five assists and redshirt freshman guard Jadhken Kerr grabbing three steals.

The Ospreys out-rebound the Wildcats 52-39 in the game. North Florida shot 49 percent (29-59) from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range (5-13). Bethune-Cookman shot 29 percent (20-69) for the game and 29 percent (5-17) from 3-point range.

Nine different Ospreys scored in the game, all in the first half. Sheffield and freshman guard Dori Lansbach each had eight at the break. Cherizol pulled down nine rebounds in the first half.

“We need to shoot the ball and keep shooting it and be confident in our shot,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “I thought we had a lot of fast-break opportunities that we didn't capitalize on and that is something we have to get better on. As much as I preach defense, they like the other end of the floor more, and you notice when they score their defense gets a little better. Our defense created a lot of scoring opportunities for us and we didn't capitalize. I thought we did a very good job on Bolden, the rebounder. I thought we rebounded the ball very well. I knew if we controlled the glass we would have a pretty good chance at winning.”

UNF has played a tough early season schedule to open the year, having faced two top-25 teams in the ACC's Florida State (No. 12) and the Big East's Pittsburgh (No. 22), as well as South Florida. The Ospreys had USF on the ropes leading at one point midway through the second half, but the Bulls were able to go on a run to hold off UNF.

North Florida opens Atlantic Sun Conference play at Campbell on Friday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. ET. The Ospreys return home on Wednesday, Dec. 2, when Alabama State visits UNF Arena for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

A season ticket for basketball is $120 and includes all men's and women's home games, a total of 28 games on 19 event dates, including nine Atlantic Sun Conference double headers. A special rate is available for UNF Alumni ($110) and UNF Faculty and Staff ($105). A Family 4-pack is also available for the season at $360. Select seating areas require an Osprey Club membership (per seat donation).

Single-game pricing is $10 for adults and $8 for youth 17-and-under and senior citizens 55-and-older. Children 2-and-under and any current UNF student with a valid Osprey1 Card are admitted free. Student guest passes are $5 and limited to one per student.

For more information or to purchase basketball season tickets call 904-620-BIRD (2473) or email ospreytickets@unf.edu.