CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - North Florida men's basketball (13-11, 6-3) fought back down 16 points in the second half to force a pair of overtime periods, but late plays down the stretch turned to favor Austin Peay (11-13, 4-5) in a 95-91 2OT thriller on Saturday evening.
The Ospreys had yet another valiant performance from
Chaz Lanier, who matched his career-high mark set just over a week ago with 33 points, eight rebounds and 49 minutes played, all of which were team-high totals. He now averages 25.6 points per game over the last five games, as well as 23.0 PPG in conference play with a 52.4% three-point percentage (33-for-63).
APSU 95, UNF 91 (2OT)
RECORDS
North Florida | 13-11, 6-3 ASUN
Austin Peay | 11-13, 4-5 ASUN
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
First Half
Jake van der Heijden got the Ospreys started with a jumper in the paint, followed with
Jaylen Smith executing on a driving layup...Lanier got his first points shortly after, along with back-to-back scores by
Nate Lliteras...
Max Hrdlicka knocked down a three-pointer to bring the game within one possession on the road...a pair of scores from both Smith and
Dorian James set up a back-and-forth affair closing in on the end of the half...Lanier and
Jasai Miles ended with scores of their own to go into the break down by seven points.
Second Half
Lanier came out hot to start out of the break with an early three on the first possession and a slam dunk to cut the deficit to four...the Governors started a run to expand their lead to 16 points, but the Ospreys responded with a 15-2 run right after highlighted by an and-one from
Oscar Berry and six points from James within that span...free throws from Lanier and another set of scores from Berry and James cut the game to one point...three treys between Lliteras and Lanier kept the score within one before Lanier notched the game-tying score with seven seconds left to force overtime.
Overtime
In the first overtime, Lanier started off with a three-pointer to go up by two points for the first lead of the game...out of the 11 points score in the first overtime period, Lanier scored all 11 coming from six free throws and a layup with just over a minute left...APSU scored twice in the final minute with UNF up five to send it to a second overtime...Hrdlicka took the lead back to start the second overtime period with a tough layup...the redshirt sophomore returned again with another layup to keep the lead on the Ospreys' side...after allowing a couple scores, Lliteras tied it up with a dunk with just under two minutes left...APSU made a clutch three late in the second overtime period, along with free throws down the stretch...UNF couldn't generate offense in the final minute in the heartbreaking 95-91 2OT loss.
LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS
UNF
Chaz Lanier | 33 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
Nate Lliteras | 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Dorian James | 14 points, 4 rebounds
APSU
Sai Witt | 30 points, 7 rebounds
Dezi Jones | 22 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Ja'Monta Black | 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
COACH'S THOUGHTS
NOTES
- This was the first overtime game played on the season and the first double OT game since the 114-111 win against Lipscomb last season.
- Along with matching his career-high for points with 33 total, he also surpassed his minutes mark with 49 total.
- Second time in two weeks with at least 30 points for Lanier, as well as sixth time with 20+ points over the last seven games.
- Lliteras and James joined Lanier with double figures, combining for 32 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
- James was also the second Osprey to surpass 40+ minutes with 46 total on Saturday.
- UNF outscored the Governors in the paint, 54-44, on fast breaks, 8-4, and from the bench, 17-4.
- The Ospreys returned to its regular lineup to include Lanier with the starting five.
UP NEXT
North Florida makes its return back home for another weekend home pairing, starting with North Alabama on Thursday, Feb. 8, with tip-off set for 7 p.m., at UNF Arena.
