Savannah State Slips Past Ospreys, 54-47

Wednesday, November 14

Savannah, Ga.

7 pm

University of North Florida

1-2

Savannah State

2-1

Univ. North Florida

Savannah State Univ.

Photo by: Todd Drexler

11/14/2012 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Final Boxscore (pdf)
Game Book

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The North Florida basketball team struggled offensively in the second half and dropped a disappointing 54-47 decision at Savannah State on Wednesday night.

The Ospreys (1-2) led by 11 points early in the second half before the Tigers (2-1) rallied with a 14-2 surge while limiting UNF to just 16 points in the period.

Senior Parker Smith was North Florida's top scorer finishing with 17 points including five three-pointers, and ended the game as the team's only double digit performer.

Preston Blackman led all scorers with 21 points for Savannah State.

“We missed a bunch of open shots in the second half,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “I thought both teams got good looks but we missed our chances and they converted theirs. We have to find a way of making more of our opportunities to score in the paint. The difference tonight was defensively. On the road when you have a lead like we did, we have to be able to protect the lead and get the win.”

The Ospreys got off to the quick early start grabbing a 9-4 lead. UNF stretched the advantage to double figures just minutes later scoring four straight buckets including back-to-back treys by Smith. Five consecutive points from Jerron Granberry with about three minutes left in the first period gave the Ospreys their largest margin, 29-16.

North Florida carried a 31-22 lead into the halftime break.

The Tigers roared out of intermission outscoring the Ospreys 8-2 in the first two minutes of play. Savannah State erased the UNF lead and would eventually build a five-point lead of its own, 45-40, with nine minutes remaining. Both defenses tightened up from their as UNF scored just five points and SSU went scoreless over the next six minutes. North Florida did tie the game up 45-45 following another Smith three-pointer and dunk from Travis Wallace.

A three-pointer by Blackman at the 3:38 mark broke the tie and the Ospreys could muster just one free throw the rest of the way as the Tigers secured the win scoring the final six points of the game.

North Florida continues its current five-game road stretch on Sunday when the Ospreys visit Kansas State. The UNF-KSU game is slated to tip at 1 p.m. (CT) and will be televised live on FSN-Kansas City.