University of North Florida
(4-8)
Maryland
(9-4)
Ospreys Fall at Maryland
12/29/2010 10:26:13 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Boxscore
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of North Florida men's basketball team dropped a hard fought 85-62 decision to the University of Maryland Wednesday night at the Comcast Center.
UNF (4-8) got 21 points from sophomore Parker Smith and a 16-point outing by sophomore Jerron Granberry in the team's first action following an 11-day break from competition. Smith had 14 points in the first half and went 5-of-9 from the three point line in the game while Granberry posted 10 points in the second half.
Maryland (9-4) placed five players in double digits led by Jordan Williams' 17 point, 11 rebound double-double. Sean Mosley finished with 15 points and six assists for the Terrapins, who turned 24 UNF turnovers into 25 points on the night.
“I was proud of our effort but felt like we had too many turnovers that resulted in easy points for Maryland,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “I don't believe the final score is a true indication of how competitive the game was tonight. I challenged Jerron and Parker to step up on the offensive end, so I was glad to see both of them make some shots. We are disappointed with the loss but have to get refocused because we are faced with another quick turnaround to face a talented team on Friday.”
During the first 12 minutes of the game, the two squads battled through seven lead changes and two ties with neither team leading by more than four points. Maryland then used a 17-3 run over a five minute span to seize control of the momentum and build a 39-23 advantage.
The Ospreys mounted a slight charge over the final two minutes sparked by back-to-back three-pointers by Smith and trailed 43-31 at the halftime break.
UNF raced out of the gates early in the second half trimming the deficit to single digits through the opening four minutes. The Terps answered over the next three minutes scoring 14 straight points on their way to opening up a 20-point advantage.
Refusing to go away, North Florida rallied with a 14-2 surge of its own cutting the margin to just 10 points, 66-56, with 6:29 left in the game. Unfortunately, the Ospreys could get no closer as the Terrapins closed the game with a 19-6 run to secure the final difference.
North Florida closes out the 2010 calendar with a game Friday at 1 p.m. (CT) against No. 17 Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.
Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams Quote:
“I really respect teams like North Florida. They play every possession and keep coming for 40 minutes. Whatever they can do, they try to do. When they get back in their league, and I believe they still have to play Kansas State, they are going to be a pretty tough out because they know how to play and they play with a lot of heart. I was really impressed with how they approached things tonight.”
