Thursday, December 15
Jacksonville, Fla.
7:00 p.m.
University of North Florida
4-9
110
vs
80
Thomas University
5-4
1
2
F
Thomas University
45
35
80
North Florida
42
68
110
Team Stats
TUM
UNF
FG%
.360
.607
3FG%
.462
.500
FT%
.700
.725
RB
33
47
TO
7
13
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Pts
30
FGM
10
3FGM
5
FTM
5
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
9
Pts
23
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Todd Drexler
Second Half Explosion Propels Ospreys to Win over Thomas University
12/15/2016 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
QUICK GLANCE
Score: North Florida 110, Thomas U. 80
Records: North Florida (4-9) | Thomas U. (5-4)
Location: UNF Arena (Jacksonville, Fla.)
The Short Story: The North Florida basketball team exploded for 68 second half points to erase a halftime deficit en route to a 110-80 victory over Thomas University on Thursday night at UNF Arena. Dallas Moore scored 30 points to lead a trio of players with over 20 points for the Ospreys as UNF snapped a six-game losing skid.
GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
Final Boxscore: PDF | Full Game Book
OPENING TIP
- Moore scored 25 of his team leading 30 points in the decisive second half sparking the Ospreys to the victory. The senior standout also handed out a season best 11 assists while making 5 of 9 three-point attempts. Moore now has topped the 30-point mark five times this season including four of the last five games.
- Freshman Wajid Aminu collected his third double-double of the year finishing with career highs for both points (24) and rebounds (11), while fellow freshman Garrett Sams also scored a career best 23 points including a 5-of-7 effort from long distance.
- Junior Romelo Banks posted 11 points and 11 rebounds, all in the first half, in earning his second career double-double
- North Florida outscored Thomas, 68-35, in the second half on the strength of blistering shooting: 20-27 FGM (74%) | 12-15 3PM (80%) | 16-19 FTM (84%)... UNF's defense also held the Night Hawks to just 31% from the floor and 38% from the arc during the second half.
- TU's Javoris Cooks made 7 treys to lead all scorers with 33 points, including 27 in the opening period.
GAME CAPSULE
First Half Trends
- The two squads played a tightly contested battle over the opening 10 minutes of the game before UNF surged in front 21-15 following a quick 8-2 spurt.
- Thomas would answer with a 14-7 run that gave the Night Hawks a 35-32 edge with just over three minutes left in the period.
- UNF retook the lead with five straight points before watching TU close the half on a 10-5 run capped by Javoris Cooks 6th triple of half at the buzzer, giving Thomas a 45-42 lead at halftime.
- Ospreys missed their first 10 three-point attempts before Dallas Moore drilled one with :25 left in the half to tie the score at 42-42.
Second Half Trends
- After trading baskets for several possessions to start the second half, North Florida seized control of the game with a 24-0 run over a six minute span to build a 72-52 lead with 9:59 remaining. Moore was the driving force during the surge scoring 14 points and assisting on two of the other baskets.
- The Ospreys would extend their lead more following a 14-2 run minutes later. Sams and Moore combined for three straight treys as part of the barrage.
- UNF maintained a 30-plus point lead over the final five minutes of action as Thomas was unable to mount any further charges
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Ospreys shot 60% from the floor for the game
- UNF reached triple digits for the third time this season and the 32nd time in program history (9th in Division I Era)
- North Florida won battle of the boards, 47-33, marking the ninth time to out-rebound an opponent this year
- Freshman Benedikt Haid recorded his first career basket hitting a three-pointer with :25 left in the game
- Moore matched his career high for assists in a game
- UNF connected on a season best 13 three-pointers including 12 in the second half... Ospreys were 1-11 from long range in the first half
SAY WHAT...
"Obviously it is great to be back home. You have to give Thomas University a lot of credit for coming out and almost control the first half from start to finish. I told the guys at halftime, we have 42 points and are 1-of-11 from three-point line but that's not the issue. The issue was that we allowed them the opportunity to play the way they wanted to play and at the pace they wanted to play. We were on our heels and I'm not sure why, but to our guys credit they came out in the second half and held them to 23 points in the first 16 and a half minutes. We regained control so that was good to see. I thought Dallas got going and then Wajid got going and then Garrett got going and we were able to make stops and convert on the offensive end." -- Head coach Matthew Driscoll
NEXT UP
- The Ospreys will play a pair of road tilts before taking a short break for the Christmas Holiday beginning Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.) against Connecticut. UNF then travels south to face in-state foe FIU on Wednesday (Dec. 21).
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