University of North Florida
10-11 (5-6ASun)
USC Upstate
-317 (38 ASun)
Ospreys Snap Three-Game Skid, Down USC Upstate 55-53 On The Road
1/27/2010 11:02:37 PM | Men's Basketball
Januska and Sauey each score 11, Diaz grabs 11 rebounds
Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Six days after dropping a home contest to USC Upstate, the University of North Florida men's basketball team returned the favor by downing Upstate 55-53 on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Hodge Center, snapping a three-game losing streak.
With the win the Ospreys improved to 10-11 on the year and 5-6 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, while Upstate fell to 3-17 and 3-8 in league play.
Up eight with 2:33 remaining, Upstate made a run and closed the gap to one at 54-53 with four seconds remaining. The Ospreys got the ball to freshman Jerron Granberry, who hit one of two free throw's to make it 55-53 with three seconds left, and Upstate's desperation three at the buzzer fell well short.
Senior guard Stan Januska and sophomore forward Matt Sauey led UNF with 11 points each. Freshman forward Andy Diaz pulled down a career high 11 rebounds and junior point guard Brad Haugabrook dished out seven assists. Senior guard Eni Cuka was perfect from 3-point range, going 3-3 for nine points, while Granberry also added nine.
The Ospreys led by as many as 10 points in the first half and took a 25-22 lead into halftime. Januska scored all 11 of his points in the first half. A week after scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against UNF, the Ospreys held 7-foot-3 center Nick Schneiders to just eight points and two rebounds.
“When we compete and guard we are capable of beating anyone,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “Our players really practiced well on Sunday and Monday, going at it with the help of Parker Smith and Josh Snodgrass, raising the competition level that simulates A-Sun game. You could tell that our guys entered the game with a sense of urgency.”
Friday's game is a “White-Out the Dolphins” game as all UNF fans are encouraged to wear white, with the first 2,250 fans in attendance receiving a white t-shirt courtesy of the UNF Athletics Department.
There will also be a pep rally for Friday's game from Noon-1 p.m. in the plaza of the UNF Student Union. Coach Driscoll, select men's players and members of Velocity will be on hand for the pep rally.
“We are traveling back and will attend classes then prepare for JU,” said Driscoll. “Having just played them we are very excited about coming home to an awesome White-Out crowd and another opportunity to compete.”
Tickets can be ordered by phone at 904-620-BIRD (2473), by e-mailing the ticket office at ospreytickets@unf.edu, or by stopping by UNF Arena at the following times: Thursday, Jan. 28 from 1-6 p.m. or Friday, Jan. 29 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fans and students are encouraged to pick up their tickets early to avoid delays at the game.
