Home Win Streak Halted by Late Norse Charge

Wednesday, January 2

Jacksonville, Fla.

7:30 pm

University of North Florida

6-9, 1-1ASUN

Northern Kentucky

3-7, 1-1ASUN

Northern Kentucky

North Florida

Photo by: Todd Drexler

1/2/2013 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Florida basketball team saw its program record seven-game home win streak snapped Wednesday night at UNF Arena as Atlantic Sun newcomer Northern Kentucky used a late rally to earn a 65-52 victory.

The Ospreys (6-9, 1-1 ASun) were looking to open conference play 2-0 for the first time but came up short as the Norse (3-7, 1-1) closed the game on a 16-2 surge to claim their first conference victory.

Freshman Beau Beech scored 17 points to pace the Osprey offense while Travis Wallace chipped in 12 points. David Jeune finished with nine rebounds to lead UNF to a 40-29 rebounding advantage but 15 turnovers resulting in 21 points for NKU proved costly for North Florida.

Chad Jackson led the Norse with 21 points followed by 19 points and nine rebounds for Eschaunte Jones.

"We had an opportunity to do something special and we didn't capitalize on it," said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. "I thought we would play better tonight so I'm disappointed and not sure what was the problem. Our league is tough every night and I want to give Northern Kentucky credit for playing extremely hard and executing their scheme well. They are difficult to prepare for because we can't really simulate in practice their five guard lineup on offense or how they packe it in defensively. We also hurt ourselves with some costly turnovers that led to easy baskets. We just have to refocus and get back to work because we have two important road games this weekend."

After UNF grabbed an early lead, NKU used a 15-2 run to build a double-digit advantage, 20-10, with 11:29 left in the first half. The Ospreys fought back and trimmed the margin but the Norse pushed back up by 13 before North Florida scored the final six points of the half trimming their halftime deficit to 32-25.

Northern Kentucky maintained a multi-possession lead through the opening minutes of the second half. The Ospreys finally mounted a charge behing eight straight points to pull within two, 42-40, at the 10:51 mark. UNF would continue their push and regain the lead 49-47 on a basket by Beech with 7:59 left.

Wallace converted a free throw putting UNF up 50-49 with 6:12 remaining but NKU would score the next 11 points to seize control as North Florida would only muster a pair of free throws from Parker Smith in the closing minute.

North Florida next opens up road play in the Atlantic Sun with a pair of in-state contests beginning Saturday against Stetson at 3:15 p.m. in DeLand.