Ospreys Drop First Coast Classic Opener

Thursday, November 16

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-2,0-0ASUN

Presbyterian

4-0,0-0Big South

Presbyterian

North Florida

Ametri Moss dribbling the ball up the court

Moss posted 11 first half points Thursday.

11/16/2023 10:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Despite five double-digit scoring performances and a six-point halftime lead, North Florida men's basketball (2-2) came up short in its First Coast Classic opener against Presbyterian (4-0) Thursday, Nov. 16, 81-69.

UNF held a 34-28 lead at the break, getting 11 points from Ametri Moss in the opening session, but the Blue Hose continued their undefeated streak to start the season.

FINAL SCORE
PC | 81
UNF | 69

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
1st Half

Jake van der Heijden hit a three-pointer, UNF's first trey of the night, for a 5-4 lead … things were even, 7-7, at the first media timeout … the Blue Hose held a one-possession lead until Jah Nze hit consecutive three-pointers for an 18-14 advantage … that lead widened to five after Chaz Lanier sunk a three-pointer … UNF held Presbyterian to its coldest stretch of the game, while Ametri Moss took over on the other end of the floor, helping carry UNF to a six-point lead at the break with 11 points on perfect shooting.

2nd Half

Presbyterian came out of the half aggressive, going on a 14-2 lead to take its first lead since early in the first half … van der Heijden made a nifty layup in the paint to tie things up at 40-40, but a PC 8-0 run gave the Blue Hose the lead for good … Nze sunk a three while drawing a foul, completing the four-point play to get the lead to single digits with just under 90 seconds to go … but, Presbyterian was successful at the line to close it out.

COACH DRISCOLL'S COMMENTS

BY THE NUMBERS
PC

Jamahri Harvey | 21 points, 8 rebounds
Samage Teel | 18 points, 6 rebounds
Trevon Reddish-Rhone | 11 points, 6 rebounds

NORTH FLORIDA

Dorian James | 14 points, 6 rebounds
Jake van der Heijden | 11 points, 8 rebounds
Jah Nze | 17 points, 5 rebounds
Jaylen Smith | 4 assists

NOTABLES

UNF has played three-straight games against mid-major foes from South Carolina
The game marked UNF's first-ever game hosting and playing in a non-conference multi-team event
Lanier has posted four-straight double-digit scoring performances
UNF has hit double-digit three-pointers in all four games this year
North Florida attempted 70 field goals to Presbyterian's 53
The Blue Hose put up a 10-free throw advantage, going 24-for-30 from the line
Nze tallied a career high 17 points
Jake van der Heijden made his first start as an Osprey
It was UNF's first game being held under 70 points