Women's Basketball Comes Up Short at North Alabama

Thursday, February 1

Florence, Ala.

6:30 p.m.

University of North Florida

7-14,1-6ASUN

North Alabama

9-12,5-3ASUN

North Florida

North Ala.

2/1/2024 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Adams Leads With 13 Points, Eklund Records Nine Boards

FLORENCE, Ala. - North Florida women's basketball (7-14, 1-6) outscored North Alabama (9-12, 5-3) in the third and fourth quarters, but the deficit was too much to overcome from the first half on the road in a 60-51 defeat on Thursday evening.

The Ospreys had an offensive push early in the fourth period of the game, but the Lions fended off the comeback after UNF cut the deficit to eight points. Jayla Adams continued her double-digit scoring stretch with 13 points, while Selma Eklund had a stellar night off the bench with eight points and nine rebounds.

UNA 60, UNF 51

RECORDS

North Florida | 7-14, 1-6 ASUN
North Alabama | 9-12, 5-3 ASUN

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

First Half: Helena Rafnsdottir scored the first bucket of the game for the Ospreys with a deep make from range...Kaila Rougier stopped a run from UNA with a layup, followed with a score in the paint from Agnes Svansdottir to cut the deficit to five...Alexa Washington drove in for a layup to go along with a Lyric Swann three-pointer a few possessions later...Adams returned with a make from deep, while Emma Broermann got her first points with a layup off the glass...Washington returned with another score and Eklund matched the result to go into the break down 13 points.

Second Half: Back-to-back scores from the Ospreys come three minutes into the third period with a three and score in the paint from Adams...Taub converted on a tough layup nearing the end of the quarter, while Eklund made a pair of free throws on each side of Taub's make...Rougier started off the fourth quick with a layup 10 seconds into play...Broermann, Adams and Eklund all made two-pointers to bring the score with 11 points...another layup from Rougier and a catch-and-shoot three from Swann turned it to an eight-point game...Taub had a late layup in the final minutes, but the Lions stood tall on defense as UNF suffered the 60-51 loss.

LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS

COACH'S THOUGHTS

"Our half-court defense was very effective tonight. We held UNA below their scoring average and also kept their two leading scorers under their average. For stretches of the game, our transition defense was inconsistent and UNA did a good job of capitalizing for easy points in the paint.

We went into this game laser-focused on two things we've struggled with this season -- reducing our turnovers and winning the third quarter. We had success in both categories tonight. Jayla [Adams] continues to be very consistent on the offensive end. It was just not a great shooting night for us overall."
-- head coach Erika Lambert

NOTES

In 38 minutes played, Adams recorded her 11th double figure scoring game in the last 12 games.
Eklund matched her career-best mark for rebounds with nine total.
She goes for nine boards for the first time since reaching that mark in 40 minutes played against Georgia Southern on Nov. 24, 2023.
Ospreys held the margin on bench points, 21-9, as well as points off turnovers, 15-10.
Washington made the first start of her collegiate career, while Rafnsdottir made her first start of the season.

UP NEXT

North Florida looks to make improvements as they continue their road trip at Central Arkansas on Saturday, Feb. 3, with tip-off set for 2 p.m., in Conway, Ark.