Shepherd Shines In @OspreyWBB Victory against Warner

Wednesday, December 16

Jacksonville, Fla.

5:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

5-7

Warner

6-4

Warner

North Florida

Photo by: Sideline Sports/UNF Athletics

12/16/2015 7:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Shepherd records a career-high 22 pts, seven rebounds

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Strong performances from sophomore Sierra Shepherd and junior Claire Ioannidis powered the North Florida women's basketball team to a 60-51 win against Warner on Wednesday evening at UNF Arena.

Shepherd had a career-high 22 points, breaking her previous best of 19 set on December 12. She also grabbed a career-best seven boards and passed out four assists. The Jacksonville native was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line and 7-for-13 shooting. Ioannidis scored in double figures for the sixth time this season with 16 points, shooting 5-for-11.

Senior Kadesia Johnson and junior Karrah Johnson each pulled down eight boards en route to the Ospreys hold a 45-33 edge off the glass for the third straight game holding an advantage in rebounding. Maiya Rumph also helped the advantage with seven boards including a career-best five of the offensive variety.

"Hats off to Warner. We got off to a tough start. We really struggled early to hit shots and to defend them." said Coach Darrick Gibbs. "Went into halftime down and came out in the second half and responded well. We made some adjustments defensively. Sierra, Claire, Hadley and Karrah were keys for us. Sierra made sure we didn't lose the game. She did everything she could to make sure we won."

Neither team found a rhythm in the opening quarter that ended with a 10-10 tie. The Ospreys responded in the second quarter to jump out in front by six, 21-15, but the visitors answered back with a 10-2 run to take a 25-23 lead into the break.

The teams continued to trade baskets until 7:28 left in the final period. Warner tied the score on a traditional three-point play, but three buckets from freshman Hadley Kiefer and another from Shepherd put the Ospreys out front for the remainder of the game.

"I am pleased with how we responded late in the game and with how they were playing, knocking down some shots," said Gibbs. "Just happy to get away with the win today."

For the game UNF shot just 34 percent and hit 5-of-20 from long range. The Ospreys went 13-for-18 from the line compared to the Royals' 5-for-7 outing at the stripe.

UNF moves to 4-7 son the season as it prepares for its next games during the Osprey Classic. The Ospreys host South Carolina State on Saturday at 3 p.m. before welcoming former Atlantic Sun foe Campbell back to UNF Arena on Sunday.