FLORENCE, Ala. - Senior
Jazz Bond hit the game-winning three-pointer to record 35 points in a come-from-behind 80-77 win against North Alabama to sweep the Lions' for the first time in series history.
Five of the last six meetings with North Alabama (5-12, 4-4 ASUN) have been decided by one possession. Last season against the Lions, the Ospreys battled back from a 19-point deficit to win at home.
Bond not only recorded her 1,000th point in a UNF uniform in the win, the forward set the single-game record for UNF - the previous was 33, hit last by UNF Hall of Famer Skye Barber in 2001.
Ospreys of the Game
Quote from the Top
"What a great game to be a part of! We were resilient and made plays down the stretch to win the game. Really proud of this group!" - Head Coach
Darrick Gibbs
Turning Point
North Florida (8-7, 6-2 ASUN) erased a 17-point deficit with a 14-2 run to end the third quarter, capitalizing on three UNA turnovers and three missed three-pointers. Bond scored 13 of her points during the third quarter and Mackins had 9-0 run herself to tie the game in the fourth at 63-all.
INSIDE THE GAME
- The fourth quarter saw three lead changes and four tie scores as UNF outscored the Lions, 21-16 in the final frame to grab the win.
- North Florida tied the game on Mackins' ninth straight point with 8:51 left in the game and took the lead on Bond's bucket moments later.
- The Lions answered with a three-point outing from the line before a free throw put UNF back out front.
- Alexis Callins hit back-to-back three-points to give UNA a 72-66. It was short lived though as Bond put up nine straight points to give UNF the 75-72 lead.
- Each team had successful makes from the line and it looked to be heading to extra time as UNA hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 77 with 11 seconds to play and force an Osprey timeout.
- With a play drawn up, North Florida got the ball into Bond's hands who sent an off-balance three from the left side into the basket for the win.
- To start the game, the teams traded baskets through the first media timeout with North Alabama owning a 13-10 edge. During the stretch, Bond scored her 1,000th point in a UNF uniform.
- From there, the Lions jumped on a 9-5 run to lead 22-15 after one.
- North Alabama kept its lead through halftime, leading by as many as 17, 53-36, in the third quarter.
Osprey Fast Breaks
- UNF shot 50 percent from the floor and from three-point range, hitting 10 for the first time in three games.
- North Alabama hit 16 threes, the most for an opponent against UNF this season.
- It was once again a battle of the sisters, as Bond's younger sister Jaida, tied her career-high with 26 points, but was scoreless in the final 10 minutes.
- The Ospreys are now in third place behind FGCU and Liberty.
What's Next
North Florida returns to Jacksonville to face off with Liberty Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7. Both games are set for 2 p.m.
