JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In a game that saw 20 lead changes, eight tie scores and a lead no-greater than five either way, it was no surprise that the decision would come down to the final minute of play. During that decisive minute,
Jose Placer put UNF ahead on a tactful jumper in the paint, but FGCU got the game-winning shot to fall on a fortuitous bank shot three-pointer from the corner with 12 seconds remaining as the Ospreys were clipped, 68-66, by the Eagles Thursday, Feb. 9.
UNF (10-15, 5-8 ASUN) had a chance to take the lead, but FGCU (15-11, 5-8 ASUN) got a final defensive stand. Dakota Rivers hit the game-winning three for the Eagles, FGCU's lone trey of the half.
Four Ospreys finished with double-digit points, paced by
Jadyn Parker's 16. Placer reached 1,012 points for his UNF career with the game Thursday as he joined
Jarius Hicklen with 13.
Dorian James added 11 points and four offensive boards, his fifth double-digit scoring effort this year.
FINAL SCORE
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
1st Half
- UNF and FGCU were deadlocked at 8-8 at the first media timeout, with Parker dominating offensively, scoring all eight of UNF's points early on … FGCU didn't score through the second media timeout as UNF crept ahead, 12-8 … FGCU responded with one of its better scoring runs, going up 17-16 after a 9-4 clip … the half concluded with UNF leading, 32-31 … the Ospreys only went 2-for-14 from deep, but converted seven of eight free throw attempts … meanwhile, FGCU didn't get to the line once.
2nd Half
- Hendricksen got the Ospreys started in the second, hitting a three-pointer in UNF's first trip down the floor … Hicklen followed that up with the catalyst of a big half for himself as he nailed consecutive three-pointers … FGCU kept UNF from going on a run with big buckets with contact down low … the second media timeout was preceded by a huge sequence from James as the forward drew a charge and came down to put down a thunderous dunk … FGCU got consecutive buckets thanks to a layup and dunk, giving the visitors a 52-48 lead … neither team had greater than a three-point advantage the rest of the way … James hit a hook shot after backing down the defender, giving the Ospreys a 64-61 lead with 1:57 to go … FGCU's Isaiah Thompson hit two free throws during the Eagles' next trip down, before following that up with a go-ahead layup at the one-minute mark … Placer put the Ospreys ahead again though, draining a beautiful jumper in the paint … with the shot clock almost equal to the game clock, FGCU worked the clock down and found Dakota Rivers in the corner … Rivers had his shot bank in off the glass with 12 seconds to go … Placer had a chance to tie things up with two seconds to go, but FGCU evaded the last-second opportunity.
BY THE NUMBERS
NORTH FLORIDA
FGCU
- Dakota Rivers | 13 points
- Zach Anderson | 10 points, 8 rebounds
- Caleb Catto | 12 points
NOTABLES
- UNF played its sixth game in league play decided by six points or less
- UNF is 61-36 in February under head coach Matthew Driscoll
- Hendricksen started his 100th game in a UNF uniform
- Hendricksen moved into third all-time in UNF history for points, passing former teammate Garrett Sams
- Placer surpassed 1,000 points in a UNF uniform after reaching that mark for his collegiate career earlier this year when taking into account his time at UMBC
- The game saw 20 lead changes and eight tie scores
- Neither team had larger than a five-point lead, or went on a double-digit scoring run
- There were very few fast break buckets, with FGCU having the only four fast break points
- James reached double figures for the fifth time this season, finishing just two points shy of his career high
Postgame Comments
UP NEXT
UNF finishes a four-game stint in Jacksonville Saturday at 2 p.m. against Stetson.
