Spartans Escape with 69-62 Win Over Ospreys

Saturday, January 14

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 pm

University of North Florida

9-10, 3-3ASun

USC Upstate

10-8, 4-2ASun

USC Upstate

North Florida

1/14/2012 9:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Boxscore (PDF)
Game Book

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Despite shooting 56 percent from the floor and getting 46 points from their bench, the North Florida basketball team dropped a hard fought 69-62 decision Saturday night to USC Upstate at UNF Arena,

With the loss, the Ospreys slip to 9-10 overall and 3-3 in Atlantic Sun play. The loss was UNF's second in a row and just the second at home this season. Upstate improves to 10-8 and 4-2.

Parker Smith hit a trio of three-pointers on his way to a team high 16 points followed by Travis Wallace with 12.

Torrey Craig, the A-Sun's leading scorer, led the way for the Spartans with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.

“We just didn't do enough tonight in order to get the win,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We have to do a better job of limiting second chance opportunities and we need to get back to defending like we did earlier in the season. I think we probably need to take a look at ourselves in the mirror and figures some things out. Give Upstate credit because they had some guys step-up and make plays when it mattered. We will get back to work and be ready to go on Monday.”

USC Upstate scored the first seven points of the game and led for most of the second half as the Ospreys didn't earn their first lead until a free throw by Wallace with 4:45 left in the first half gave them a 25-24 advantage.

The two sides traded the lead over the next several possessions and UNF held its largest lead, 32-29, after Smith drilled a triple at the 2:22 mark. The Spartans scored the final five points of the frame to carry a 34-32 lead into the half.

Upstate opened up a six-point advantage early in the second half only to see the Ospreys battle back and regain the lead, 52-51, with 8:13 left after a jumper by Smith. After again taking turns with the lead, the Spartans used a quick spurt to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

UNF pulled within two, 64-62, with just over a minute remaining but the Spartans converted their free throws down the stretch to earn the road win.

For the game, Upstate out-rebounded the Ospreys, 30-21, including a 13-5 advantage on the offensive glass. Both teams struggled with miscues as UNF finished with 19 turnovers and Upstate committed 18.

North Florida hosts ETSU Monday at 7 p.m. in the squad's final home game in January.