Box Score
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The University of North Florida men's basketball team fell to Big East foe Marquette, 78-51, Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Bradley Center.
The first half saw the Ospreys go toe-to-toe with Marquette for 19 minutes. Only a late 5-0 run, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer, gave the Golden Eagles an 11-point cushion at the break.
Marquette led by seven, 20-13, with 10:43 remaining in the first half, but North Florida went on an 8-1 run to tie the game at 21 at the 9:04 mark on a Germaine Sparkes old fashioned 3-point play.
The Ospreys also picked up some touch fouls in the first half that sent leading scorer, freshman Jerron Granberry, and leading rebounder, freshman Andy Diaz, to the bench each with three fouls. Offensive rebounding also hurt UNF in the first half as Marquette grabbed 11 and out-rebounded the Ospreys 21-12.
For the first time this season (seven games) North Florida used a different starting lineup, with sophomore forward Matt Sauey replacing freshman David Jeune.
Sparkes led UNF in the first half with nine points, while Diaz pulled down five rebounds and junior guard Brad Haugabrook dished out three assists. North Florida shot 47.8 percent (11-23) in the first half and 33.3 percent (1-3) from 3-point range. Free throws hurt UNF in the first half, making just 5-9 and missing two front ends of the 1-and-1.
Marquette shot 48.4 percent (15-31) in the first half, 40 percent (2-5) from 3-point range and 70 percent (7-10) from the line.
North Florida cut Marquette's lead to seven with 18:34 to play but the Golden Eagles responded with a 16-2 run to take control of the game midway through the second half.
For the game, North Florida shot 36.5 percent (19-52), 14.3 percent (1-7) from 3-point range and 46.2 (12-26) from the free throw line. Diaz led UNF with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Stan Januska chipped in 10. Haugabrook dished out four assists and Sauey blocked two shots.
Marquette shot 47.3 percent (26-55) from the field, 33.3 percent (3-9) from 3-point range and 85.2 percent (23-27) from the line. Jimmy Butler paced the Golden Eagles with 21 points.
North Florida is 1-7 on the year and 0-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, while Marquette improves to 8-3 on the season. The Ospreys have now played seven of their first eight games on the road, including games at Notre Dame (Big East), Illinois State (Missouri Valley), Alabama (SEC), Northwestern (Big Ten) and now Marquette (Big East).
“I thought we really battled and showed our best effort for the longest period of time vs. another BCS opponent,” said North Florida head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We cut into the lead several times and tied it at 21 in the first half. In the second half we had it cut to 15 with the ball and about 12 minutes left but we had empty possessions because of missed shots or missed free throws and Marquette capitalized and stretched the lead back to 20. We did a very good job with handling the ball but the 20 second chance points were a back breaker on a number of key possessions. We now embark on a four-day three-game swing simulating what it will be like in the A-Sun post season tournament.”
The Ospreys now head to Gulfport, Miss. to participate in the South Mississippi Classic Dec. 21-23. The Ospreys face Canisius (Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. ET), New Orleans (Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m. ET) and Southern Miss. (Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET). The Canisius and New Orleans games will be joined in progress at approximately 6 p.m. ET on AM 1320 WBOB and 103.7 FM in Jacksonville or on-line at 1320WBOB.com. The Southern Miss game will air live.
The tournament in Gulfport will be games three, four and five of a five-game in eight-day stretch for the Ospreys. North Florida opens the season with 10 of its first 11 games on the road before returning home on Dec. 30 at face Palm Beach Atlantic.
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.
