JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Thanks to a 15-4 run over the final four minutes and 11 seconds, North Florida men's basketball (1-2) took home a 72-66 win against South Carolina State (0-5) in the program's first game on the CSI Companies Court Saturday, Nov. 19.
Jose Placer and
Carter Hendricksen showed their experience, combining for 35 points, many of which came in crucial moments of the game. The Ospreys capitalized in transition, scoring 25 points off turnovers and 20 points in fast break buckets.
The free throw line was favorable to UNF as the Ospreys went 24-for-32 from the line. UNF is now 25-6 in home openers.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
1st Half
- Placer hit the bottom of the net to put UNF up, 3-2, although the Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead seconds later … SC State and UNF traded buckets until the Bulldogs opened up an 18-8 lead, its largest of the game … in what turned out to be a crucial turn sequence, UNF rattled off a 10-0 run, its longest of the night, to even things up … Jarius Hicklen poured in the tying trey … the visitors crept its lead out to eight at 30-22, although UNF closed the gap on a 6-2 run to finish the first frame.
2nd Half
- UNF scored 20 of its 30 points in the paint in the second frame and committed just one turnover as the Ospreys outscored SC State, 44-34, pulling off the comeback win despite leading for just over three minutes … UNF would tie the game on multiple occasions until finally taking the lead as the UNF crowd erupted … down 62-57 with 4:11 to go, Hendricksen lowered his shoulder, got to the rim and scored a layup … after missing his first three three-pointers of the night, sophomore transfer Oscar Berry drilled his first three-pointer at home, and it was a big one, tying the game at 62-62 … one possession later, Placer converted a go-ahead three-pointer to put UNF on a 8-0 run and out in front for the first time since leading 3-2 … UNF took care of business at the free throw line and only allowed four more points the rest of the way to come away with the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
UNF
SC STATE
- Rakeim Gary | 15 points, 4 rebounds
- Raquan Brown | 11 points, 8 rebounds
- Justin Wilson | 9 points, 8 rebounds
NOTABLES
- UNF committed just one turnover in the second half
- North Florida scored 25 points off turnovers, permitting just six
- UNF scored 20 points on fast breaks, while SC State tallied just six
- UNF got to the line 32 times, posting 24 free throws, a season high
- Jarius Hicklen and Jose Placer combined to go 12-for-13 from the line
- UNF had the lead for just three minutes, with over two minutes and 30 seconds coming from the second half
- UNF had a plus-15 scoring margin when Dorian James as in the game
- Hicklen had five assists for the second time this game
- The was the first-ever game between the two teams
- UNF is 25-6 all-time in home openers
- Hendricksen paced the team in scoring in two of the three games
- There were only three tie scores and three lead changes
Postgame Press Conference
UP NEXT
It's a quick turnaround as UNF goes to Pittsburgh to take on Duquesne Monday at 7 p.m.
