AUBURN, Ala. -
Tatiana Thompson drilled a three-pointer to give UNF a 63-60 lead at the 5:27 mark in the fourth quarter, but the host Auburn Tigers (4-3) rattled off a late run to take the lead for good as North Florida (5-3) came up short, 72-65, Tuesday, Nov. 30.
The game saw five lead changes and 11 tie scores with the game being knotted up at 54 heading into the fourth quarter. Both teams shot over 45 percent from the floor and four Ospreys put up double-digit points.
It was North Florida's third game against a Power Five team this year and third consecutive game on the road.
Auburn 72, UNF 65
Beyond the Box Score
- First Quarter: A helter skelter first quarter ended with the Ospreys shooting 50 percent from the floor, chasing just two at 18-20 … Tiffany Tolbert scored UNF's first two buckets, Jazz hit a key three from the corner and Kaila Rougier put up a three-point play in her first collegiate experience as UNF stayed step-for-step with Auburn.
- Second Quarter: Auburn was able to take advantage of transition buckets to go ahead by seven at the break … after Rhetta Moore found Jazz Bond in the paint for a bucket off the glass to cut the deficit to 28-29, Auburn rattled off an 8-0 run to open the lead.
- Third Quarter: Moore broke through the perimeter defense and found Tolbert in the corner for a three to get UNF its first points of the second half at 7:17 … Jaida Bond followed with a layup to make it a 5-0 run for UNF … Auburn opened their lead to 11 at the 8:09 mark, but North Florida caught fire from three, converting four of its next six three-pointers … Moore broke free from the pack and got a fast break layup to put UNF ahead, 50-49, at the 2:42 mark … Jaida Bond added some tough buckets under pressure to give UNF as big as a three-point lead.
- Fourth Quarter: The game was tied at 54-54 at the start of the fourth … Tatiana Thompson hit a three-pointer to put UNF ahead, 63-60, at 5:27 … Auburn got even at 4:22 and went on to have a 10-0 run … Moore made a layup with 20 seconds left to cut the skid although Auburn converted its free throws down the stretch.
Leaders By the Numbers
UNF
Auburn
- Aicha Coulibaly | 23 points, 10-18 FGs, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
- Mar'shaun Bostic | 4 assists
Coach Gibbs' Comments
"It was a really tough loss. I thought that we got off to a really slow start. We had a couple really good days of practice and felt good going into the game. We did not start the way I expected to. I thought we bounced back after being down seven at halftime and were able to generate consecutive stops. That allowed us to get out and run a little bit and we were able to take the lead. I really liked our response coming out of halftime, we just couldn't sustain it. We talked about it in the lockerroom about finding ways to make winning plays down the stretch in the fourth quarter, and I thought they made more than we did."
Notes
- Tolbert put up a season high for points with 11.
- Jaida Bond tallied a season for rebounds with eight.
- Kaila Rougier made her collegiate debut, playing over eight minutes in her inaugural game.
- Auburn got to the line 22 times, while UNF converted all of its free throws but only got to the line five times.
- Jazz Bond and Rhetta Moore both notched their eighth consecutive double-digit point performance.
Up Next
UNF stays on the road but heads back to the Sunshine State when it goes to FIU Saturday, Dec. 4 at noon.
