North Florida Uses First-Half Blitz to Down New Orleans 64-49

Tuesday, December 22

Gulfport, Miss.

5:30 p.m.

University of North Florida

3-7

New Orleans

5-7

North Florida

New Orleans

North Florida Uses First-Half Blitz to Down New Orleans 64-49

12/22/2009 8:58:29 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Januska leads the way with 19 points

Box Score

GULFPORT, Miss. – The University of North Florida men's basketball team used a 15-0 run just over four minutes into the game, while holding New Orleans scoreless for 11:40 during that run, that pushed a two-point lead to 17 and the Ospreys never looked back in downing the Privateers 64-49 on Tuesday, Dec. 22, in the second game of the South Mississippi Christmas Classic at Bert Jenkins Gymnasium.

Leading 8-6 at the 15:41 mark of the first half, a Stan Januska lay-up ignited the game-deciding run as the Ospreys went up 23-6 with 5:28 remaining before the break. North Florida upped its lead to 20 at 28-8 with 3:53 left in the half and led by 17 at the intermission, 35-18.

The Ospreys never let the Privateers closer than 11 the rest of the way in winning their second straight game. North Florida defeated Canisius 65-61 yesterday in the first game of the tournament and will play for the tournament championship tomorrow vs. host Southern Miss at 8 p.m. ET. The Southern Miss game is the last game of a five-games-in-eight-days road trip for UNF.

The win improved UNF to 3-7 overall and dropped New Orleans to 5-7.

The Southern Miss game can be heard on AM 1320 WBOB and 103.7 FM in Jacksonville or on-line at 1320WBOB.com.

“Something that is important in building a program is winning consecutive games,” said North Florida head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We have really grown up during this trip which has allowed different guys to be put in different uncomfortable situations and they have responded extremely well. We have come here to win one game at a time in order to play for a championship and tomorrow we will be rewarded that chance.”

Januska was big in the first half with 13 points, including 3-6 from 3-point range, and senior guard Germaine Sparkes added eight off the bench and four rebounds in helping UNF build its lead. Another key factor in the tone-setting first half was the play of junior point guard Brad Haugabrook as he dished out seven assists to just one turnover. The Ospreys shot a blazing 55 percent from the field in the first half and an equally impressive 53 percent from 3-point range.

Januska led North Florida with career-high tying 19 points for the game, going 5-10 from the field and 3-7 from 3-point range. Sparkes ended with 13 and a team-high eight rebounds, while Haugabrook handed out nine assists and had just one turnover. The margin of victory would have been bigger had the Ospreys not missed 15 free throws during the game.

North Florida shot 45.2 percent (19-42) from the field for the game, 39.1 percent (9-23) from 3-point range and 53.1 (17-32) from the free throw line.

New Orleans shot 41.3 percent (19-46) from the field, 33.3 percent (3-9) from 3-point range and 57.1 percent (8-14) from the line. Charles Carmouche had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Privateers.

The Ospreys have now played nine of their first 10 games on the road, including games at Notre Dame (Big East), Illinois State (Missouri Valley), Alabama (SEC), Northwestern (Big Ten) and Marquette (Big East). After the tournament in Gulfport, North Florida finally returns home after opening the season with 10 of its first 11 games on the road. The Ospreys play host to Palm Beach Atlantic on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at UNF Arena.

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.