University of North Florida
15-19(10-10ASun)
Belmont
30-4 (19-1ASun)
Ospreys Fall to Belmont in A-Sun Title Game
3/5/2011 10:02:54 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Boxscore
MACON, Ga. – The University of North Florida men's basketball team's historic season came to a close Saturday night with a disappointing 87-46 loss to top-seeded Belmont in the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship at Mercer's University Center.
UNF (15-19) saw its program record five-game win streak halted by the Bruins (30-4). The game marked the Ospreys first appearance in a conference tournament championship game. North Florida's season included record highs for overall wins (15) and conference wins (10).
Senior Brad Haugabrook led UNF with 10 points in his final game. Freshman Charles McRoy scored nine and David Jeune grabbed five rebounds.
Belmont, who became the first team in the nation with 30 wins, were led by Mick Hedgepeth, who scored 17 of his career-high 23 points in the first half. He also collected nine rebounds in helping the Bruins to a 39-22 advantage on the boards. Scott Saunders added 15 points while Ian Clark chipped in 10.
Hedgepeth's performance earned him Tournament MVP accolades. Andy Diaz and Jerron Granberry were both named to the All-Tournament squad, marking the first time for UNF players.
“This was definitely a disappointing way to end a really good season” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “Belmont is a very good team and they came out early and really took the game to us. I thought we hung tough, but Belmont's depth really caused us some challenges. I am very proud of how our guys played all season long and this was another first in the growth and development for our program.”
North Florida got off to a slow start as Belmont jumped out to an early 16-4 lead after four minutes of play. UNF held Belmont to just one point over the next five minutes, and closed the gap to eight, 17-9, off a three pointer from McRoy at the 10:30 mark.
The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes with the Bruins holding a 10 point, 27-17, lead with 3:40 left in the half. Belmont closed out the half with a 12-4 run to take a 39-21 lead into the break.
Coming out of the break, UNF cut the lead down to 16, in the opening minute and a half but that is as close as the Ospreys would get in the second half as Belmont outscored UNF 48-25 in the second half of play.
Belmont dominated on the boards, grabbing 39 rebounds and tallying 21 second chance points. The Bruins also forced 22 turnovers by the Ospreys and connected on nine three-pointers for the game.
By winning the A-Sun tournament title, the Bruins advance into the NCAA Tournament field of 68. The full field will be announced Sunday, Mar. 13 on CBS.
