University of North Florida
#19 Purdue (Big Ten Network)
UNF Falls at #19/18 Purdue
12/11/2010 9:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Boxscore
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The University of North Florida men's basketball team played 19th-ranked Purdue even in the second half but couldn't overcome a first half deficit in dropping a 77-57 decision Saturday night at Mackey Arena.
Jerron Granberry scored 14 points and Brad Haugabrook added 12 for the Ospreys (4-5), who shot 45 percent from the floor for the game but were just 2-of-11 from the three-point line.
Purdue All-Americans JaJuan Johnson (25) and E'Twaun Moore (21) combined for 46 points and shot 17 of 26 from the floor in leading the Boilermakers (9-1) to a fourth consecutive victory. The pair was the only Purdue players to score more than six points in the game.
“I was proud of how our guys continued to fight for the entire game” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We continue to compete against talented teams and this will definitely be something we can build upon. Purdue is one of the best defensive teams in the country and they made things extremely challenging for us in the first half. In addition, they shot the ball very well and have a lineup that includes two NBA caliber players. We will look to continue working and improving.”
After trading baskets through the opening few minutes of play, Purdue gained control of the momentum using a 21-6 run over a seven minute span to take a 25-10 lead. The Ospreys got back-to-back baskets from Granberry and Matt Sauey, but the Boilermakers answered with the next 10 points earning their largest lead of the half, 35-14, with 7:20 to play.
Purdue maintained its edge holding a 41-21 lead at the half. Johnson scored 15 points in the opening half to lead the Boilers while Granberry paced UNF with nine points. PU shot 63 percent (17-27) from the floor in the period while holding North Florida to 38 percent shooting and forcing 10 turnovers that resulted in 14 points.
The Ospreys cut into the deficit early in the second half before Purdue's dynamic tandem tallied an 11-2 run all by themselves including eight consecutive points from Moore to extend the advantage to a game high 26 (59-33) with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game.
A gritty and determined UNF squad refused to quit rallying with their own 11-4 surge highlighted by nine straight points including five consecutive Granberry free throws to cut the margin to 17. North Florida got to as close as 15 (66-51) on a driving layup by Charles McRoy with 5:14 left but could get no closer.
North Florida scored 36 points and shot 52 percent (12-23) from the floor in the second half despite playing the final five minutes without either of its starting forwards – Sauey and Andy Diaz – who had both fouled out. The Ospreys also forced 19 turnovers by the Boilermakers but finished with 21 miscues of their own.
The game marked the third time this season for UNF to face a nationally-ranked program and was just the seventh ranked opponent in the program's six-year Division I tenure. The final 20 point margin was the closest deficit against a ranked opponent.
The Ospreys continue their challenging road swing with another game against a nationally ranked team Tuesday when they face the 25th-ranked Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas.
