Gophers Overcome Ospreys, 87-59

Saturday, December 1

Minneapolis, Minn.

1 pm (CT)

University of North Florida

3-5

#21 Minnesota

8-1

North Florida

#21 Minnesota

12/1/2012 5:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Boxscore (pdf)
Game Book

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The North Florida basketball team raced to an early lead but came up short in an upset bid over No. 21 Minnesota falling 87-59 on Saturday at historic Williams Arena.

The Ospreys (3-5) led 18-10 midway thru the first half before the Gophers (8-1) responded with 15 straight points to regain the momentum in the game.

Parker Smith led UNF with 22 points and surpassed the 1,000-point mark in his North Florida career with a free throw at the 2:20 mark in the first half. Travis Wallace also posted his fifth consecutive double-digit performance finishing with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Minnesota placed four players in double figures led by 14 from Rodney Williams.

"Their physical play really tested us," said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. "I thought our guys competed but they have some big, strong guys that just kept pounding on the glass. We also committed some uncharacteristic live ball turnovers that led to easy baskets for them. We were able to do some good things but need to continue to grow and develop as a team."

Smith sparked a 10-0 with the first of three treys in the game as the Ospreys held Minnesota scoreless for five minutes while building a near double digit lead. The Gophers eventually settled down finishing the half by outscoring UNF, 22-6, over the remainder of the period. North Florida closed within three, 30-27, following a trio of free throws by Smith with 2:20 left in the frame but were unable to score again as UM built a 37-27 halftime lead.

A quick 9-0 spurt by the Gophers early in the second half provided the home squad with the advantage they needed as North Florida was unable to make any late charges.

For the game, Minnesota out-rebounded UNF, 48-35, and also forced 22 turnovers that resulted in 31 points for the Gophers. UM also posted 27 points on 25 offensive rebounds. The Ospreys continued to defend the three-point line well limiting Minnesota to just 1-of-13 in the game.

After playing three games in five days, North Florida takes a week off from competition for fall semester exams before returning to the court next Saturday at Pittsburgh.