University of North Florida
Savannah State
Tigers Hold Off Ospreys, 49-42
11/27/2010 4:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The University of North Florida women's basketball team fell to Savannah State, 49-42 on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Ga.
Leading the Ospreys (1-4) was Brittany Kirkland with 14 points. Larkira Jones notched her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Tigers (2-3) Ezinne Kalu had 24 points. Darice Fountaine added 14 points and notched a team-best nine rebounds.
Both teams got off to a slow start with the score tied 6-6 after eight minutes of play. The Tigers opened up the scoring, taking a 17-10 lead at the 6:13 mark. UNF closed the gap to one twice over the final minutes but were unable to take the lead. SSU took a 23-21 lead into the half.
Coming out of the break, UNF tied up the game (28-28) five and half minutes in to the half. The Ospreys continued their run to take a seven point, 35-28 lead with 12:17 on the clock. SSU responded and tied up the game at 35 each three minutes later. The two teams traded baskets and were tied again at 37 before the Tigers went on a 7-1 run to take a 45-38 lead with just over five minutes remaining. UNF cut the lead down to three (45-42), with 1:37 left to play, but that is as close as the Ospreys would get. SSU went 4-of-6 from the free throw line in the final minute and a half to secure the win.
UNF shot 39 percent (16-of-41) from the field and 16.7 percent (2-of-12) from behind the arc. UNF hit 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the free throw line. The Tigers shot 34.9 percent (15-of-43) from the field and 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three point range. SSU hit 64.7 percent from the charity stripe. The Tigers scored 24 points off turnovers while the Ospreys notched 11 off turnovers.
"Until we learn to protect the basketball we will not win," said head coach Mary Tappmeyer.
The Ospreys will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 2 when they host Florida Gulf Coast in the conference opener. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. and will be a doubleheader with the UNF men's team who tip at 7:45 p.m. against FGCU.
