LOUISVILLE, Ky. - North Florida women's basketball shot 72 percent in the final frame to overcome an early deficit and defeat Bellarmine, 76-73 Friday evening at Knights Hall. With the win, UNF is the No. 3 seed in the upcoming ASUN Championship - its highest finish in Division I history.
North Florida (12-10, 10-5 ASUN) will finish with double figure wins in ASUN play for the first time under coach
Darrick Gibbs. Bellarmine (5-15, 5-10 ASUN) is in its first season as a Division I institution.
Ospreys of the Game
FROM THE TOP
"This was a great road win for us. It was really good to see us respond after losing our last three and not get off to a great start tonight. This has been a tough trip and it would be great to finish up with two wins!" - head coach Darrick Gibbs
Turning Point
North Florida shot 72 percent in the final frame to overcome an early deficit. The Ospreys went 5-for-6 in the second half from long range as the Knights struggled, shooting just 2-for-14 from three-point range.
INSIDE THE GAME
- The game was tied at 11-all when Bellarmine outscored UNF 11-7 down the stretch of the opening frame to give the Knights a 24-18 lead.
- North Florida got on a 13-4 run to tie the game at 31 in the second quarter, but with 4:02 to play the Ospreys went cold as it didn't make a field goal for the remainder of the quarter. Bellarmine took a 36-32 lead into the half.
- In the third, the teams traded baskets with Bellarmine holding no more than a seven-point lead at anytime. Marissa Mackins hit a triple to spark a 10-3 run that stretched into the fourth to knot the score at 52.
- She then hit another longball to give UNF its first lead since the first quarter to spark a 12-5 run to give the visitors at 66-60 lead with 3:27 to play.
- Bellarmine pulled back to within 70-67 with just over a minute to play. The Ospreys hit six free throws down the stretch to take the game.
Osprey Fast Breaks
- Bond now has 198 blocks in an Osprey uniform - just six shy from matching the school record across both programs held by Wajid Aminu.
- With nine three-pointers tonight, North Florida needs two to set the single-season record for three-pointers made in a season. The 2019-20 team set the program record with 211 last season.
- Rhetta Moore scored just four points, but the senior picked up five steals and five rebounds to help on the defensive end of the floor.
What's Next
North Florida and the Knights square off in the regular season finale at 5 p.m.
