Men's Basketball Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against North Alabama

Thursday, February 8

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

13-12,6-4ASUN

North Alabama

12-12,6-4ASUN

North Ala.

North Florida

Men's Basketball Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against North Alabama

2/8/2024 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Lanier Drops 35 Points Another Career-High Scoring Mark

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida men's basketball (13-12, 6-3) faced a deficit of 17 points and was able to tie the game with under a minute left, but could not hold on at home against North Alabama (12-12, 6-4), 79-74, on Thursday evening at UNF Arena.

Chaz Lanier led the charge in the Ospreys' comeback attempt with a career-high 35 points in loss against the Lions. The junior guard is now averaging 28.6 points per game over his last five games and 24.2 points per game against ASUN opponents.

UNA 79, UNF 74

RECORDS

North Florida | 13-12, 6-3 ASUN
North Alabama | 12-12, 6-4 ASUN

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

First Half
Jaylen Smith and Nate Lliteras each had layups to start off the game in their return back home...after UNA went on a run, Jasai Miles earned a basket and Lanier made the first three of the game...Lanier came back with another trey followed with a third straight three from UNF courtesy of Smith...Lliteras earned the final field goal for the Ospreys in a defensive first half down by 13 points.

Second Half
Lliteras set the tone out of the break with a slam dunk, followed with a trio of layups from Lanier and Lliteras...Miles came in and drained a three to go along with a score by Lanier to keep UNF close...a pair of threes from Lanier entering the 10-minute mark brought the deficit back down to six points...and an-one bucket from Lanier and a three from Dorian James put it within two...after a run from the Lions to give them a nine-point lead, James and Lanier came back with threes again...Hrdlicka got fouled from distance and made all three of his free throws to keep it a one-possession game...with under a minute left, Lanier tied the game with a bucket and made free throw on another and-one score...the Lions returned the favor moments later and kept the lead for the final 30 seconds for the 79-74 win.

LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS

COACH'S THOUGHTS

NOTES

Lanier earned his fourth game this season with at least 30 points.
The junior has combined for 56 points over his past pair of games.
He also scored 29 of his 35 points in the second half.
James surpassed 600 career rebounds after bringing down eight boards.
Lliteras joined Lanier in double digits with 10 points on the night.

UP NEXT

North Florida will put this game in the rearview mirror and make the quick turn against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Feb. 10, with tip-off set for 2 p.m., at UNF Arena.