University of North Florida
Florida Atlantic
UNF Outlasts FAU, 63-61, in Home Opener
11/19/2010 9:51:07 PM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore Larkira Jones hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds to secure the 63-61 win for the University of North Florida women's basketball team as it defeated Florida Atlantic in non-conference action on Friday night at UNF Arena.
Junior Brittany Kirkland led the Ospreys with 23 points, connecting for 18 of them in the first half. Overall Kirkland shot 50-percent (9-of-18) from the field, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc. Senior Juliemay Syquio added 12 points for the Ospreys (1-2). Jones totaled nine points, pulled down five rebounds and notched two steals. Freshman Raneisha Lamar grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
“Our first two games prepared us for the physicality of this game,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “I think we really asked them to focus on being physically tough and mentally tough and they really stepped up to the challenge. Larkira and Raneisha really battled inside and took some great steps as young post players. I think they really learned a lot in this game. I feel that we got production from everybody who played.”
For the Owls (1-3) Kimberly Smith led with 15 points. Teri Stamps added 12 and Kalyn Dinkins notched 10. Vontrice Dennis grabbed 10 rebounds.
In the first half, the Ospreys came out firing early, as Kirkland hit back-to-back three pointers to start the game, fueling a 15-2 Osprey opening run. FAU responded and chipped away at the UNF lead, cutting the gap to two (23-21) at the 5:30 mark. The Owls took their first lead with 4:11 remaining in the half. UNF was unable to retake the lead and FAU led, 35-31, going into the break.
Coming out of the intermission, the Owls extended their lead to eight (42-34) three minutes in. UNF responded to tie it up at 44 with 14:17 on the clock. The two teams traded baskets over the next 10 minutes with UNF taking a three point lead (57-54) with 4:30 remaining. FAU reclaimed the lead, going up 59-58 with just under two minutes to go. UNF and FAU were tied at 61 going into the final minute. Jones connected on a pair of charity shots with 12 second to go, to secure the game for the Ospreys.
UNF shot 43.6-percent from the field (24-of-55) and 43.8-percent (7-of-16) from behind the arc. The Owls hit 34.9-percent (22-of-63) from the field and 28.0-percent (7-of-25) from three point range. The Ospreys held the slight 44 to 40 advantage on the boards, but the Owls forced 30 turnovers while giving the ball up 23 times.
The Ospreys will be back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 23 when they make the trip to Gainesville, Fla. to face Florida. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Stephen P. O'Connell Center.
