EKU Holds off Men’s Basketball Saturday Night

Saturday, January 22

Richmond, Ky.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

4-16,0-6ASUN

Eastern Kentucky

10-10,2-4ASUN

North Florida

Eastern Ky.

Placer put up 18 points to lead UNF in scoring Saturday night.

1/22/2022 9:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Jose Placer Puts Up 18 Points, Dorian James Eyes Double-Double in Loss

RICHMOND, Ky. - Jose Placer scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting in his return to the starting lineup and Dorian James eyed a double-double, but North Florida couldn't crack an Eastern Kentucky (10-10, 2-4 ASUN) team Saturday night in a 67-58 loss to the Colonels.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
1st Half

Neither team could find the bottom of the cup easily through the first two media timeouts … both sides got open looks but couldn't capitalize as the game was tied 9-9 at the 10:52 mark … Jadyn Parker made a free throw to put the Ospreys (4-16, 0-6 ASUN) ahead 10-9, although after EKU hit a pair of free throws, the Colonels never gave up their lead … EKU went on a 18-0 run that the Ospreys could not bounce back from … UNF rattled off a 7-0 run before the end of the half, although EKU pushed its lead to 41-26 at the break … Placer scored 13 in the opening stanza to lead all players, although the Ospreys were 3-for-16 from beyond the arc and EKU was 6-for-12.

2nd Half

The ball went through the hoop more easily in the second frame, with teams combining for 12 points in the first two minutes and change … the deficit stayed in the low teens for most of the second quarter … Dorian James drilled consecutive three-pointers to put UNF on another 7-0 run and get UNF within 10 at 58-48 … UNF shot 12-for-24 from the floor in the second half, Jarius Hicklen hit all three of his treys, although EKU retained its lead all half.

BY THE NUMBERS
UNF

Jose Placer | 18 points, 7-13 FG, 4 assists
Dorian James | 10 points, 9 rebounds
Jarius Hicklen | 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Jordan Preaster | 2 steals, 2 blocks

EKU

Devontae Blanton | 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
Russhard Cruickshank | 3 points, 8 assists

NOTABLES

This was the first meeting between UNF and EKU as conference foes.
UNF and EKU played each other for the second consecutive season after meeting in the season opener in November of 2020.
James reached double-digit points for the second time this year and first time since Nov. 12 at Grand Canyon.
Placer reached double-digit points for the eighth time this season.
Emmanuel Adedoyin had a streak of 17 consecutive games with a three-pointer snapped.
Jarius Hicklen reached double-digit points for the ninth time this year and for the third consecutive game.
Coming into the game, UNF had attempted the 10th-most three-pointers in the nation and EKU has put up the most in the NCAA.