JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Ospreys (3-2) got out to a 9-2 lead and held that advantage for over 37 minutes, getting five double-digit scoring performances and double-doubles from
Chaz Lanier and
Dorian James in an 80-74 win against Northwestern State (1-4).
Lanier locked down the glass with a career-high 10 boards to go with 17 points, while James shot 50 percent from the floor, reeling in a game-best 12 rebounds.
Ametri Moss,
Jah Nze and
Nate Lliteras all tallied double-digit scoring nights, with Nze tying for the team high with 17.
FINAL SCORE
NWST | 74
UNF | 80
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
1st Half
- The Ospreys started quick, getting out to an 11-4 lead at the first media timeout … Chaz Lanier followed with his second three-pointer of the game, extending the lead to 17-6 … Northwestern State rattled off a game-best 13-0 run to take a 21-20 lead, its largest and only lead of the game … Lliteras helped UNF retake the lead with a hookshot and-one in the paint … Jake van der Heijden got the roll on a layup in the paint to put UNF up by three … Jaylen Smith got hot at the right time, hitting consecutive three-pointers to put UNF up by seven … James made a putback for UNF's last bucket of the half … Northwestern State pulled within four with a corner three-pointer.
2nd Half
- Moss took at the start of the half, getting to the cup for six-straight points, including two layups and a floater … UNF hit key three-pointers on second-chance opportunities, sending North Florida to a 57-53 lead at the under-12 media timeout … Lanier lined up a three-pointer off an inbounds play, putting the Ospreys up, 63-56 … James got the lead to ten with a layup in the paint … the lead widened to a game-best 13 points at 74-61 … the Demons made it interesting, getting within 76-74 with 20 seconds left, but Moss got two free throws to fall to seal it.
COACH DRISCOLL'S COMMENTS
BY THE NUMBERS
NWST
- Ryan Forrest | 25 points
- Cliff Davis | 20 points
- Chase Forte | 8 points, 8 rebounds
NORTH FLORIDA
NOTABLES
- UNF and Northwestern State competed against one another for the first time
- Lanier has posted double-digit scoring performances in every game this season
- James went for a career-best 12 boards
- UNF's bench outscored Northwestern State by 14
- UNF's largest lead was 13, while Northwestern State's largest lead was one
- North Florida has converted at least 10 three-pointers in all five games this season
- Lanier logged a game-high 34 minutes and 38 seconds on the floor
COACH DRISCOLL ON SATURDAY'S GAME
"Many hands make light work, which is sometimes underemphasized yet so critical in executing these types of tournaments. Everyone from media relations, facilities and operations, marketing, security, concessions, athletic training, student staff and our coaching staff has worked to create an incredible event on our home court. Tomorrow's game against Maine creates another exciting opportunity for us to grow our system with this group, develop unity and strive to give clarity to our identity on both ends of the floor and in special situations. Maine's ability to attack the rim, take and make timely three-pointers and defend for 40 minutes comprises our next challenge tomorrow." -- Head Coach Matthew Driscoll
UP NEXT
UNF stays at home to Maine in the First Coast Classic finale tomorrow at 5 p.m.
