OPENING TIP
Score: North Florida 70, Dayton 78
Records: North Florida (0-1) | Dayton (1-0)
Location: Dayton Arena (Dayton, Ohio)
The Short Story: Junior Noah Horchler's 19-point, 12-rebound double-double highlighted a solid season opening performance for the North Florida men's basketball team in a hard fought 78-70 loss at Dayton on Wednesday night. 

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
Final Boxscore | Full Game Book

NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Noah Horchler collected his first double-double of the season and 13th of his career finishing with 19 pts/12 rebs
- Garrett Sams chipped in 15 points while JT Escobar added 11 pts
- Ospreys saw 10 players see action in the season opener including freshman Carter Hendricksen, who made his collegiate debut
- UNF finished with 8 three-pointers, highlighted by making 6 in the first half
- Dayton was led by double-doubles from Obi Toppin (18 pts/10 rebs) and Trey Landers (15 pts/10 rebs)

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half Notes
- Dayton started the game with an 8-3 spurt
- North Florida responded with the next seven points capped by a three-pointer from Horchler to grab its first lead in the game'
- The game remained a one possession contest for the next several minutes until a 21-7 run by the Flyers built a near double-digit deficit for the Ospreys
- UNF closed the gap to three points late in the period but a kickout three pointer in the final minute sent UD into intermission with a 41-35 lead
- #BirdsofTrey drilled six three-pointers in the first half getting two each from Horchler and Sams
 
Second Half Notes
- The Flyers broke things open midway through the second half using a 24-9 surge for a 68-48 advantage with 9:50 left to play
- The UD run was aided by an 0-8 shooting stretch for the Ospreys coupled with four turnovers
- Trailing 72-52 with 8:24 on the clock, the North Florida defense turned things up holding Dayton without a field for the rest of the game
- UNF limited UD to just six free throws and closed the half on an 18-6 rally for the final eight point margin


INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Loss marked the third consecutive season opening defeat for the Ospreys
- Dayton earned a slim 37-35 edge in rebounding and also handed out 18 assists to just 10 for UNF
- Both teams finished the game shooting 43 percent from the floor, with North Florida connecting at a 50 percent pace in the second half
- Five different UNF shooters notched a trey in the contest

LAST WORD
"Playing in an atmosphere like tonight and against a team like Dayton, everything matters. We played well in stretches but allowed our performance in 10 to 12 key possessions hurt the overall outcome. We had opportunities tonight and our guys learned first hand that little things mean a great deal. We will get up in the morning and prepare for our next game." -- Head coach Matthew Driscoll

NEXT UP
The Ospreys continue their season opening road trip with a game at Penn State on Friday night.