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University of North Florida Athletics

JT Escobar dribbles the ball against a Florida State defender
MIke Olivella
81
North Florida UNF 5-8
95
Winner Florida State FS 10-1
North Florida UNF
5-8
81
Final
95
Florida State FS
10-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
North Florida UNF 39 42 81
Florida State FS 46 49 95

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | North Florida Athletics

Near Career High Highlights Escobar Homecoming at No. 11 Florida State


OPENING TIP
Score: North Florida 81, #11 Florida State 95
Records: North Florida (5-8) | Florida State (10-1)
Location: Tucker Civic Center (Tallahassee, Fla.)
The Short Story: North Florida junior JT Escobar finished with 27 points including a perfect 6-for-6 performance from long range as the Ospreys battled No. 11 Florida State in a 95-81 loss on Wednesday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
Final Boxscore

NOTABLE NUMBERS
- JT Escobar, a native of Tallahassee, missed a career high by a point, finishing with 27 points on 8 of 9 shooting from the field (6-6 3PM)
- Noah Horchler scored 13 points and Trip Day added 10 with the UNF duo sharing team honors with 6 boards each
- FSU saw four of five starters reach double figures and were led in scoring  by Mfiondu Kabengele with 24 off the bench (10-10 FTM)
- A much taller Seminoles squad only outrebounded the Ospreys, 32-34
- Both squads shot 50% or better from the floor for the game
- Ospreys attempted twice as many free throws as the Noles (26-13)

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half Notes
- JT Escobar opened the contest with a three-pointer sparking a 7-0 run for the Ospreys | Horchler posterized an FSU defender with a driving dunk followed by a layup from Wajid Aminu in the opening run
- The Ospreys would maintain a lead over the nationally ranked Noles for the first 10 minutes of the period
- With UNF up 25-24, Florida State grabbed the momentum over the next several minutes, outscoring North Florida 20-9 en route to building a double digit advantage (44-34)
- North Florida closed out the half scoring five of the final seven points to cut the halftime margin to seven at 46-39
- UNF connected on 6 treys in the first half but were hindered by 10 turnovers that resulted in 12 points for FSU
  
Second Half Notes
- Five Osprey miscues in the first four minutes of the second half turned into 10 points as Florida State seized control of the game
- The Noles pushed their lead to a game high 24 points (68-44) following a 20-5 surge to start the final period
- A gritty UNF squad continued to battle and minutes later used an 11-0 run of their own to trim the deficit in half, 75-63, with eight minutes left to play
- Five different Ospreys contributed points in the rally
- Escobar converted a rare 4-point play, drawing a foul as he hit a trey, that pulled UNF to within 10 (77-67)
- North Florida would get within 10 a couple times in the closing minutes but were unable to make the decisive run as Florida State held on for the victory 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- UNF remained winless against Florida State in the fourth installment of the series
- The Ospreys offensive output marked the highest total in the series and the margin of defeat was the second smallest
- North Florida connected on double digit treys for just the third time this season
- Florida State remained undefeated at home (6-0) for the season
- FSU was held to just 3 of 23 shooting from the three-point line (13%)
- Noles outscored the Ospreys 64-30 in the paint and netted 27 points on 19 turnovers

LAST WORD
"I was extremely proud of the fight and resilience that our guys played with tonight. We continue to ride this merry-go-round featuring moments of good play followed by moments that are not as good. Until we figure out a way to play a complete and consistent game, thing are going to be challenging especially against teams like Florida State where our margin for error is small already. It was great to see JT be able to play well in front of a good group of family and friends in his hometown. We will have a few days off before getting back to work in preparing for the final few non-conference games on the schedule. We have to get prepared because league play begins in just over two weeks." -- Head coach Matthew Driscoll

NEXT UP
North Florida will have 10 days off from competition before returning to the court on Dec. 29 at No. 7 Auburn
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