University of North Florida
9-14, 6-6ASun
Lipscomb
14-9, 9-5ASun
Ospreys Corral Bisons, 72-62
2/3/2011 10:23:23 PM | Men's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jimmy Williams posted a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double in helping lead the University of North Florida men's basketball team to an 72-62 victory over Lipscomb Thursday night at UNF Arena.
For UNF (9-14, 6-6 Atlantic Sun) the win snaps a two-game skid and avenges a disappointing loss to Lipscomb (14-9, 9-5) earlier this season. The loss also halts a four-game win streak for the Bisons.
It was Williams second double-double this season and marked a career best in rebounds while falling just two points shy of his personal best scoring total.
Jerron Granberry (13) and Parker Smith (10) both joined Williams' in double figures and Andy Diaz barely missed his own double-double finishing with nine points and eight boards. Matt Sauey blocked one shot giving him 99 in his career and moving him into a time for first on UNF's all-time list.
Josh Slater finished with 19 points, six rebounds and eight steals to lead Lipscomb. Adnan Hodzic, the A-Sun scoring and rebounding leader as well as reigning conference Player of the Year, was held to just two points on the night.
“I am really proud of our guys in getting this big victory tonight,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “It was great to see us play all 40 minutes and finish a game strong. It was nice to see our effort and work in practice carry over into our game performance. I felt like the real difference was our aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. We need to stay focused and build on this game.”
After a slow opening five minutes that saw UNF score the only four points, the Osprey defense continued on a stingy pace limiting the Bisons to just one basket, a three-pointer by Jacob Arnett, until the 11:13 mark. At that point, UNF held a 12-5 advantage.
The two squads traded baskets for several possessions before the Ospreys broke things open behind an 18-7 run over the final nine minutes of the half. A driving lay-up by Parker Smith with 2:53 left allowed UNF to double-up Lipscomb's score at 34-17.
North Florida carried a 35-19 advantage into the halftime break after shooting 53 percent from the field and forcing the Bisons into 11 turnovers and a sluggish 30 percent shooting performance. For Lipscomb the 19-point output marked the second lowest production in a half this season. Eight of the nine players that saw action in the first half for UNF got in the scoring column.
Out of the break, Lipscomb used a 6-2 spurt over the opening minutes to quickly cut into the deficit. The Ospreys responded with a 9-0 surge minutes later to grab a 20-point lead, 47-27, with 13:16 to play.
A 16-4 run by the Bisons over the next five minutes saw the UNF margin trimmed to eight at the 8:01 mark. Lipscomb would close the gap to seven twice but get no closer as the Ospreys converted 9 of 10 free throws in the closing minutes to secure the victory.
For the game, UNF outshot Lipscomb 49 percent to 36 and also amassed a 48-28 advantage on points in the paint. The North Florida bench also outscored the Bisons, 22-17, marking the eighth consecutive game that UNF has won the reserve battle.
The Ospreys close out their four-game homestand Saturday against A-Sun leading Belmont at 7 p.m.
