Boxscore (PDF)
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Behind 20 points from Destinee Smith and a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double from Paulina Zaveckaite as well as consistent defensive play, University of North Florida women's basketball earned a hard-fought 57-54 win at Lipscomb on Thursday night at Allen Arena.
 
"I'm just really proud of our effort and the fight these girls had," said head coach Mary Tappmeyer.  "Our goal was to keep Lipscomb in the 50's because they are such a dynamic offensive team.  We got great contributions from everybody. We focused on defense all week and that really showed in tonight's game."
 
Smith also added six assists, while Janeá Williams also pulled down 12 rebounds.
 
UNF shot 37.7 percent (23-for-61) for the game and dominated the glass 42-33.
 
Sara Bliss led Lipscomb with 22 points, while Danay Fothergill notched a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Emily Eubank also dished out six assists.
 
Lipscomb shot 39.6 percent (21-for-53) for the game.
 
UNF got out to a hot start and held a commanding 18-9 lead at 12:54 on a Smith jumper. Lipscomb answered with a 7-0 run to cut UNF's lead down to two. However, UNF was able to extend its lead to five, using a layup from Kadesia Johnson at 7:47 to go up 22-17. UNF held three more five-point leads during the remainder of the first half, including at 1:58 when a Smith jumper put UNF up 32-27. Lipscomb finished the half on a 9-0 run behind three treys in order to take a 36-32 advantage into halftime.
 
UNF chipped away at Lipscomb's advantage in the second half and ultimately went up by 42-40 on a Williams layup at 13:42. UNF extended its lead to five once again, using a pair of Williams free throws to hold a 46-41 advantage. A layup from Bliss sparked a six-point run that saw the Lady Bisons gain a 47-46 advantage with 6:29 to go.
 
UNF and Lipscomb traded baskets and the Ospreys ultimately went up 51-49 behind a three-point play from Smith at 4:52. A layup from Bliss at 4:40 tied the game and then a Fothergill trey at 4:02 lifted Lipscomb to a 54-51 advantage. Fothergill's long-range shot was the only made three-pointer of the second half.
 
However, solid defensive play by the Ospreys kept Lipscomb scoreless for the rest of the game. A layup from Smith at 3:31 cut the deficit to one. Three minutes later, Zaveckaite hit the go-ahead layup with 30 seconds to go, putting UNF ahead 55-54. After a missed layup from the Lady Bisons, Smith got fouled and hit two key free throws with 13.5 left on the clock.
 
UNF finishes its two-game road trip on Saturday at Northern Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., from Regents Hall.