Second Half Drought Hurts Ospreys in Loss

Saturday, February 11

Johnson City, Tenn.

4 pm

University of North Florida

-1314, 77 ASun

ETSU

-1311, 76 ASun

North Florida

ETSU

2/11/2012 6:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Boxscore (PDF)
Game Book

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- A seven-minute scoreless stretch early in the second half proved the difference as the North Florida basketball team had its win streak snapped with a 65-50 loss to ETSU at MSHA Athletic Center.

The Ospreys (13-14, 7-7 Atlantic Sun) trailed by just one at the half and took a lead early in the second half but ETSU (13-11, 7-6) used a 19-0 run to seize control of the game and earn their seventh straight win over UNF in Johnson City.

Parker Smith finished with 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and was the lone UNF player in double figures.

Isiah Brown scored a career-best 27 points and Adam Sollazzo scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to pace the Bucs attack.

“This was a tough loss,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We never looked comfortable, especially on offense. We turned it over a little too much and when we broke the press we got the ball in good spots to score but just couldn't convert. I think during the decisive run they were able to take advantage of a couple turnovers and some missed shots. We just have to regroup because we have another big game on Monday night.”

UNF grabbed a quick 4-2 lead to open the game, before ETSU responded with a 17-8 run to grab the momentum. The Ospreys answered with a 10-3 spurt of its own to knot the score at 22-22 with just under eight minutes to play in the period.

The two squads went back-and-forth the remainder of the half with the Bucs carrying a slim 31-30 lead into the halftime break.

ETSU seized control of the game in the opening minutes of the second half behind a 21-5 run including 19 consecutive points. Brown and Sollazzo combined for 15 of the points during the surge.

The Ospreys attempted a couple of rallies but could get no closer than 11 as the Bucs shot 59 percent in the second half while holding UNF to just 36 percent. ETSU also held a 31-23 advantage in rebounding for the game.

North Florida concludes its road swing Monday at USC Upstate.