Women's Basketball Hits 13 Treys in 69-58 Win Over Coastal Carolina

Wednesday, December 19

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

5 p.m.

University of North Florida

4-7

Coastal Carolina

6-5

North Florida

Coastal Carolina

Photo by: JC Ridley

Women's Basketball Hits 13 Treys in 69-58 Win Over Coastal Carolina

12/19/2012 8:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

Boxscore (PDF)

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Hot shooting from long range and a solid performance from the free throw line propelled University of North Florida women's basketball to a 69-58 win over Coastal Carolina Wednesday evening at the Myrtle Beach Convocation Center during the Carolinas Challenge.

“We've seen positive progress in all the games we've played. They are starting to understand that every time you step on the floor, it's a new opportunity,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “We've got some very good shooters, but they just haven't shot the ball very well early in the season. Tonight, they were all the great shooters that we know they are capable of being.”

The Ospreys hit 13 three-pointers en route to shooting a blistering 59.1 percent from beyond the arc. UNF came just two treys shy of tying the program's single-game record of 15 that was set in 2005. Destinee Smith fueled the Ospreys' offense and three-point shooting. Smith notched a career-tying 20 points and was 6-for-7 from three-point range.

“Destinee was a great shooter and scorer for us last year,” said Tappmeyer. “She struggled early this year, but she's been putting extra time in the gym and working on her shot. The last couple of days, she's been shooting the ball better in practice and you saw her confidence return. When Des hit that first three ball, I knew that she was back.”

“I struggled with my shot at the beginning of the season,” said Smith. “Coach and I went back to the basics and fixed the problem I was having with my shot. Tonight, my teammates just found me when I had the hot hands.”

Jadhken Kerr added 14 points and was 4-for-8 from long range. Raneisha Lamar pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.

Shatia Cole had a team-high 15 points for Coastal Carolina, while Alexx Puckett and Angelica Henry recorded 14 and 13 points, respectively. Katelyn Connor and AJ Jordan each had seven rebounds.

UNF was 43.4 percent (23-for-53) from the field for the evening and 76.9 percent (10-for-13) from the free throw line. The Ospreys did not miss a single free throw until late in the second half.

After Coastal Carolina hit a game-opening three-pointer, UNF exploded for a 16-0 run that saw four Osprey treys. Smith's second trey of the game capped the run and the Ospreys were up 16-3 at 12:51. UNF's hot shooting continued throughout the opening half and the Ospreys pushed their lead to 16 on a Ki Conner jumper at 1:46 that made it 35-19. UNF eventually took a 35-26 advantage heading into halftime.

UNF opened the second half with a 7-0 run and went up 42-26 at 17:17 on another Smith three-pointer. Coastal Carolina attempted to fight back and was able to pull to within seven at 9:34 when a Puckett jumper made it 52-45 in favor of UNF. The Ospreys responded with a 10-0 run that featured three Kerr treys, including one at 6:47 that made it 62-45. UNF led by as many as 18 on two occasions in the final 5:53 en route to capturing its first win on the road of the season.

After a week-and-a-half hiatus, UNF returns to the hardwood with its Atlantic Sun Conference opener against Lipscomb on Dec. 31. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., from UNF Arena.