JACKSONVILLE - North Florida women's basketball hosts first-place FGCU on Thursday at 7 p.m.

GAME DAY CENTRAL

WHAT: North Florida (8-13, 1-5 ASUN) vs FGCU (17-6, 6-0 ASUN)
WHERE: UNF Arena
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2 - 7 p.m.
THE SERIES: FGCU leads 18-2
LAST TIME: North Florida had three players score in double figures, but it was not enough as FGCU led from start to finish in a 75-50 last February. The 50 points were the most scored on the Eagles during conference play. Claire Ioannidis and Sierra Shepherd each chipped in 13 points.  Maiya Rumph and Karrah Johnson each pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

LIVESTATS: UNFOpsreys.com
TWITTER: @OspreyWBB
TV: Watch ESPN

ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA (8-13 / 1-5 ASUN)

Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes

ABOUT FGCU (17-6/ 6-0 ASUN)

Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes

LAST TIME OUT...
- A slow second quarter for North Florida gave Stetson the momentum it needed to finish out the game as the Hatters grabbed the 68-44 win. Sierra Shepherd was the lone Osprey in double figures with 12 points. She also added two assists and two blocks.
- After 11 lead changes, FGCU outlasted Jacksonville, 60-57 in a rematch of last year's ASUN Championship. The Eagles victory gives the Green and Blue sole possession of first place in the ASUN standings and hands JU its first conference loss of the season.

NOTEABLES
- UNF is looking for its first win at home since December 31, 2016 when the Ospreys beat Warner. UNF last beat a Division 1 opponent on November 20 in a double-overtime victory against FAU.
- The Ospreys are just 2-18 against FGCU with UNF's last win coming on Feb. 13, 2010 at UNF Arena.
- North Florida scores 72.8 points per game in its nine home contests compared to just 62.8 on the season. The Ospreys are shooting 41.7 at UNF Arena.
- The eight total wins this season surpass the Ospreys seven total from 2016. UNF finished the ASUN season 7-23 overall and 3-11 last year
- When UNF scores 70 or more points it is 11-1 under Coach Gibbs and 7-0 this season with 70 .
- Simone Brown recorded her third 20 point game this season against Lipscomb. 
- Tesh Hanson recorded back-to-back double-doubles at NJIT and USC Upstate.
- Defensively, the Ospreys have also excelled in getting blocked shots this season. They have recorded three or more blocks in 18 of 21 games played this season.  
- Prior to NJIT and Lipscomb, UNF had not lost a game after leading at halftime. The Ospreys are now 7-2 this season when leading at half and 9-3 under coach Gibbs.
-The Ospreys return 84% of their scoring from 2015-16.

AN OSPREY WIN ON THURSDAY WOULD...
- Be the 328th win in program history
- Be Head Coach Gibbs 16th win
- Snap a three-game losing streak
- Be just the 3rd win against FGCU
- Snap a 13-game losing streak to the Eagles

ON THIS DAY
North Florida is 6-4 on this date. North Florida and FGCU faced off on this date in 2012.

LAST TIME VS THE EAGLES
North Florida had three players score in double figures, but it was not enough as FGCU led from start to finish in a 75-50 last February. The 50 points were the most scored on the Eagles during conference play. Claire Ioannidis and Sierra Shepherd each chipped in 13 points.  Maiya Rumph and Karrah Johnson each pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

LONG RANGE STREAKING
The Ospreys have made at least one 3-pointer in 53 consecutive games dating back to 2/25/15 when FGCU held them without a longball (0-8). North Florida ranks 2nd in the ASUN with 108 triples.

CRASH THE BOARD
Simone Brown's rebounding has been strong lately as she has grabbed seven or more boards in three straight games. She ranks 10th in the league at 6.0 rebounds per game overall this year.

LOOKING AHEAD
North Florida faces off with Stetson for the second time in a week as the Hatters come to town on Saturday at 1 p.m.