University of North Florida
Troy
UNF Downs Troy, 68-52
12/18/2010 5:47:49 PM | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Junior Brittany Kirkland dropped in a career-high 28 points to lead the University of North Florida women's basketball team past Troy, 68-52 on Saturday afternoon during the opening day of the 2010 Comfort Inn Osprey Holiday Classic at UNF Arena.
“We really needed that,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “The team has been working hard and taking a little bit better care of the basketball. We shot it well tonight. If you take good care of the basketball and shoot it well then you give yourself a chance to win.”
Kirkland connected on 11-of-16 from the field including 4-of-7 from behind the arc and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Taylor Smith added 12 points for the Ospreys (2-7) while Jadhken Kerr tallied nine points, pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists. Juliemay Syquio handed out a game-high six assists.
“I thought Brittany really stayed aggressive in the second half,” Tappmeyer said. “Lately she's been strong for us in the first half and not as effective in the second half so it was good for her to remain consistent throughout. Taylor is another solid post presence for us. She's a confident inside scorer. Larkira [Jones] and Raneisha [Lamar] are very good defensive players and Taylor gives us some offensive presence inside and it gives them a chance to help build their offensive game. I thought Jadhken also played a really solid game for us.”
For the Trojans (2-8) DeAngela Sword tallied 18 points. Tenia Manuel notched 11 points and posted 13 rebounds in the game.
UNF and Troy kept the game close in the opening half with the Ospreys holding the largest lead, up six three times during the half with the last at the 9:47 mark (21-15). Troy never held the lead, but closed the gap two, 21-19, with 7:46 on the clock. The Ospreys extended their lead back to five, 27-22 with just under five and a half minutes to play. Troy was within one (27-26) going into the final minute, but a layup from Jade Givens gave the Ospreys a 29-26 lead going into the break.
In the second half, the Ospreys opened with a 12-2 run to take a 13 point, 41-28 at the 16:14 mark. The Trojans looked to make a run and cut the lead down to five (48-43) with 10:42 on the clock after a 15-6 run that spanned six minutes. UNF responded and extended its lead to 14 (59-45) with just over five and half minutes left in the game. Troy tried to make a late run, but would get no closer than nine, 59-50, with just under three minutes. The Ospreys secured the win, closing out the game with a 9-2 run.
UNF shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the field and 40 percent (6-of-15) from behind the arc. The Trojans connected on 35.2 percent (19-of-52) from the field and 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from three point range. UNF hit 85.7 percent (12-of-14) from the free throw line to Troy's 68.8 percent (11-of-16).
The Ospreys forced 26 turnovers and had 25 points off turnovers. UNF gave the ball up just 12 times. Troy held the 42-26 advantage on the boards.
UNF will be back in action on Sunday, Dec. 19 against Bethune-Cookman during the second day of the Osprey Holiday Classic. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
