Ospreys Soar By Eagles, 68-62

Monday, February 6

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 pm

University of North Florida

13-13, 7-6ASun

Florida Gulf Coast

12-12, 7-6ASun

Florida Gulf Coast

North Florida

Photo by: Todd Drexler

2/6/2012 9:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Boxscore (PDF)
Game Book
Postgame Interview (Parker Smith)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- North Florida drilled 11 three-pointers for the second consecutive game as the Ospreys outlast Florida Gulf Coast for a 68-62 victory Monday night at UNF Arena.

With the victory, UNF (13-13, 7-6 Atlantic Sun) earns the season sweep over the Eagles (12-12, 7-6) and post a home weekend sweep in conference play for the first time as a member of the Atlantic Sun.

Parker Smith finished with 23 points including six three-pointers to lead the Osprey attack. It marked Smith's season high for treys in a game and was his second consecutive 20-plus effort.

Jerron Granberry added 14 for UNF while Andy Diaz chipped in 11.Jimmy Williams pulled down a team-best seven boards and handed out three assists for the Ospreys.

UNF shot 50 percent from the floor for the game and made 11 of 19 three-point attempts (57.9 percent) but struggled from the free throw line making just 9 of 23 attempts (39 percent).

Sherwood Brown scored 23 points including 15 in the second half to pace the Eagles.

“This was a huge win for us,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “I felt like we got great effort up and down the lineup. We played tremendous defense without fouling and that was big for us. It's a pretty special group that can overcome the struggles we had from the free throw line and still earn the victory. We have to continue to build on this momentum.”

Runs highlighted the play in the first half. The Ospreys raced out to 15-8 lead through the first seven minutes of play followed by a 17-0 run by the Eagles over the next four minutes giving them their largest lead, 25-15.

UNF answered with their own 17-2 surge including a stretch of 11 straight points highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys from Smith. Granberry capped the run with a pair of triples putting the Ospreys up 32-27 with 4:15 left in the half.

The Ospreys maintained a lead to the break carrying a 37-34 lead into halftime. UNF shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes while also going 7 for 10 from beyond the arc.

The score remained close through the first 10 minutes of the second half with both squads holding leads. A quick six point spurt allowed UNF to open a slight advantage they would keep for the remainder of the contest.

The Eagles pulled within two, 64-62, with 41 seconds left to play but the Ospreys got free throws from Matt Sauey and Granberry to secure the victory.

North Florida hits the road for its final regular season games away from Jacksonville this weekend beginning Saturday against ETSU at 4 p.m.