JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's basketball looks to close out its non-conference schedule on a strong note with Florida A&M coming to town on Friday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m., in UNF Arena.
The Ospreys went into the holiday break pulling out a close win at home against Winthrop, while also being victories in three of their last four games. UNF has a chance to finish go into its Atlantic Sun Conference opener with a 5-1 record at home on the season with a win against the Rattlers.
Friday's matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Updates for the games will be made through live stats, as well as on Twitter/X at OspreyWBB and on Instagram at OspreysWBB.
FROM THE JUMP
- UNF continues to climb the ranks in three-pointers made and attempted, as they currently stand top 25 nationally in both.
- They attempt 27.4 threes per game to rank 11th, while making 9.0 threes per game to rank 22nd overall.
- Lyric Swann and Kaila Rougier have been getting buckets for the Ospreys with double-digit scoring averages.
- Both players are the only two with over 50 made field goals this season each averaging better than 38.0%.
- Swann also leads in three-pointers made with 29 total, while Alexa Washington and Rougier join with over 20 makes total.
- Jayla Adams, Selma Eklund and Emma Broermann only three players to start each of the 13 games this year.
- Adams stays dominate on the assist ticker with 53 total, as no other UNF player has over 30 total.
- The graduate also leads the team in minutes played with 29.5 MPG, while Eklund is right behind with 28.2 MPG.
- Broermann leads the pack in boards with 5.6 RPG, while their are four other Ospreys with at least 4.0 RPG.
- Rougier leads five Ospreys with double-digit steals with 22 total, while Broermann and Eklund have combined for 11 of the 18 total blocks this season.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Florida A&M enters the post-holiday matchup against UNF with a 1-9 overall record and an 0-7 record on the road.
- The Rattlers have played a tough schedule facing opponents such as No. 11 Tennessee, Florida, California, Houston and Michigan.
- It's lone victory of the season was 59-54 at home against fellow ASUN team and rival, Jacksonville.
- Will be the third over four straight road games for FAMU and the only game set for them between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5.
- Ahriahna Grizzle has been the primary scoring option for the Rattlers with 16.4 PPG, as no other player has surpassed the double-digit mark.
- Nashani Gilbert and Ivet Subirats are the only other players to start in every game played this season.
- Gilbert joins Sydney Gendrix has the best rebounding options with 4.0 RPG.
- FAMU also loves creating turnovers, as four players have reached at least 15 steals, as Grizzle leads the way with 20 total.
- Peryonna Sylvester returns to North Florida after playing with the Ospreys during the 2020-21 season.
AN OSPREY WIN AGAINST FLORIDA A&M WOULD...
- Extend their all-time mark against the Rattlers to 5-0.
- Also be the third win at home against FAMU in its first matchup in Jacksonville, Fla., since 2018.
- Be the fourth win in the past five games for UNF entering conference play.
- Give UNF a nearly unblemished mark at home with its only loss being in overtime to FAU.
PROJECTED UNF STARTING FIVE (BASED ON LAST GAME)
G -
Jayla Adams (9.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.1 APG)
G -
Lyric Swann (11.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 APG)
G -
Kaila Rougier (10.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 APG)
F -
Selma Eklund (7.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.6 APG)
F -
Emma Broermann (7.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 0.5 APG)
LAST TIME VS. FLORIDA A&M
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Thanks to an 11-0 run to open the game and a hot start in the second half, North Florida (7-5) never trailed en route to a 64-54 win at Florida A&M (0-11) Thursday, Dec. 30, closing out the 2021 calendar year.
LAST FIVE vs. THE RATTLERS
Date Result Location
11/11/16 W, 71-60 Jacksonville, Fla.
12/10/17 W, 77-68 Tallahassee, Fla.
11/16/18 W, 64-53 Jacksonville, Fla.
12/30/21 W, 64-54 Tallahassee, Fla.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Ospreys head into ASUN competition continuing a four-game home stand starting with its conference home opener against Stetson on Thursday, Jan. 4, with tip-off set for 7 p.m., at UNF Arena.