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
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.
COACH DRISCOLL'S COMMENTS
NEXT UP
UNF returns home for an 8 p.m. tip-off against Central Arkansas Jan. 27.
