University of North Florida
Kennesaw State
Owls Edge Ospreys, 54-50
1/24/2011 9:10:50 PM | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE
KENNESAW, Ga. – In a back and forth battle that had 11 lead changes and seven ties, the University of North Florida women's basketball team fell to Kennesaw State, 54-50 in Atlantic Sun Conference action on Monday night at KSU Convocation Center.
Leading the Ospreys (6-12, 4-5 A-Sun) was Brittany Kirkland with 16 points. Jadhken Kerr added nine points while fellow Taylor Smith tallied eight points while grabbing eight rebounds. Larkira Jones grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Owls (5-12, 2-7 A-Sun) were led by Ashley Holiday with 16 points. Sametria Gideon added 12 points and led the team with six rebounds.
“Kennesaw deserved to win that game,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “They shot it very well from deep. We weren't focused and had no sense of urgency on the defensive end. We got 18 offensive rebounds and scored 15 points, we just weren't very sharp tonight at all, on either end of the floor. Kennesaw is a dangerous team if you let them hang around.”
KSU got out to an early seven point, 11-4 lead after five minutes of play. UNF went on a 17-9 run, taking a 21-20 lead with 7:06 left in the half. The Owls reclaimed the lead and held on until the Ospreys tied it up at 23 with 2:29 on the clock. UNF took a two point advantage on the next possession, but the Owls tied it up at 25 with twenty seconds remaining. Jadhken Kerr connected on a three pointer with seven seconds showing to send the Ospreys into the break with a 28-25 lead.
The two teams traded baskets in the second half with UNF holding the largest lead of the half, up five (30-25) in the opening minute. There were five lead changes and four ties in the second half with the last tie coming at the 7:20 mark when both teams had 43 on the board. The Owls took the lead on the next possession and went up by three (46-43) with 6:44 remaining.
UNF cut the lead down to one, 48-47, with just over four and a half minutes to go. The Owls extended their lead to four at the 2:24 mark before Kerr came down and drained a three to again put the Ospreys within one with just over two minutes left. Holliday hit a three pointer on the Owls next trip down the court and that would be the final basket scored as the Owls held on for the win.
UNF held a 41-35 advantage on the boards, but KSU had a 17-15 advantage in second chance points. The Ospreys shot 33.9 percent (20-of-59) from the field including 25.0 percent (6-of-24) from behind the arc. KSU hit 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the field and 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from outside.
The Ospreys will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 27, hosting crosstown A-Sun rival Jacksonville in a 7 p.m. game at UNF Arena.
