UNF Downs Kennesaw, 68-51, to Win A-Sun Home Opener

Saturday, January 2

UNF Arena

4:30 p.m.

University of North Florida

Kennesaw State

1/2/2010 6:50:16 PM | Women's Basketball

Kirkland pumps in 21 to lead the Ospreys

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Behind sophomore guard Brittany Kirkland's 21 points, the University of North Florida women's basketball team captured its first Atlantic Sun Conference game of the year, downing Kennesaw State 68-51 in its A-Sun home opener on Saturday, Jan. 2, at UNF Arena.

The Ospreys improved to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in Atlantic Sun play, while Kennesaw State fell to 4-8 and 1-2 in league play.

“It's important to win conference games at home, and fortunately we were able to come out and take our first home conference game of the season,” said UNF head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “I thought we got good production from our bench and that we shot the ball really well.”

The Ospreys remain home on Monday, Jan. 4, when they host Mercer in a 5:30 p.m. game at UNF Arena. Monday's game is part of a doubleheader with the UNF men's team, with the men facing Mercer at 7:45 p.m.

The Ospreys sprinted to a 33-22 halftime lead behind Kirkland's 17 points. North Florida shot 46.7 percent from the field in the first half and held Kennesaw to just 19.4 percent shooting.

UNF came out in the second half and stretched its lead to 17 with 15:40 remaining on the strength of three straight 3-pointers by Jadhken Kerr. The Owls would never get closer than 13 the rest of the way as the Ospreys led by as many as 23 points and cruised to the win. The bigger, stronger UNF team pounded the Owls down low, out-scoring them 40-14 in the paint.

Kirkland also led North Florida with six assists while Kerr ended with 12 points (four 3-pointers) and junior guard Juliemay Syquio chipped in 11 points, a team-high eight rebounds and four assists.

North Florida shot 52.7 percent (29-55) from the field and held Kennesaw State to just 23.8 percent (15-63). The Ospreys shot 45.5 percent (5-11) from behind the arc and 62.5 percent (5-8) from the free throw line. The Owls shot 25.9 percent (7-27) from 3-point range and 66.7 percent (14-21) from the line. Angie Smith led Kennesaw with 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Single-game tickets for women's basketball games are $10 for adults and $8 for youth 17-and-under and senior citizens 55-and-older. One ticket will admit you to both the 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. games on those days. Children 2-and-under and any current UNF student with a valid Osprey1 Card are admitted free. Student guest passes for those events are $5 and limited to one per student. If you are unable to attend the games they can be seen on ASun.tv.