JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A late second-half comeback bid came up short for North Florida men's basketball, as it fell to North Alabama, 90-84, on Saturday afternoon at UNF Arena.
Faced with its largest deficit of 17 points, the Ospreys went on a 22-7 run over a 10-minute stretch in the second half to cut the deficit to one possession at 84-82 with 47 seconds left in regulation.
Sophomore guard
Jaylen Smith recorded a career-high and game-high 22 points on 7-for-12 from the field and 4-for-8 from three, in addition to three assists and two rebounds in 24 minutes.
Jasai Miles, another sophomore guard, posted 18 points, six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. It marked 17 of 19 games this season and 13-straight games for Miles with 10 or more points.
UNA 90, UNF 84
RECORDS
North Florida | 9-10, 2-4 ASUN
North Alabama | 12-7, 4-2 ASUN
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
FIRST HALF: Sophomore guard
Jaylen Smith scored 11 of the initial 13 points for the Ospreys...Smith was 4-5 from the field and 3-4 from three heading into the under-16 media timeout...the Ospreys extended their lead to 21-13 at the under-12 media timeout...an offensive rebound and finish inside from freshman forward
Josh Harris and another finish in the paint from Smith secured North Florida a 30-27 lead with 8:00 minutes left before half...North Alabama answered with an 8-0 run to secure a 37-30 lead at the 4:45-minute mark of the first half...senior guard
Ametri Moss beat the first half buzzer on a turnaround jumper to cut the halftime deficit to 47-39.
SECOND HALF: Sophomore guard
Jasai Miles knocked down a three to cut the score to 54-44 two minutes into the second half...North Alabama extended its lead to 59-44 at the first stoppage of action...a fastbreak finish from Miles cut the deficit to eight at 81-73 with 5:01 minutes left to play...North Florida extended its run to 22-7 to make it a one-score game at 84-82 with 47 seconds left on a pair of free throws from Miles...North Alabama converted on its free throws down the stretch to reach the eventual final score...Miles turned in 12 points in the second half to push for the comeback bid.
LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS
UNF
Jaylen Smith | 22 points, (7-12 FG, 4-8 3FG), 3 assists
Jasai Miles | 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Liam Murphy | 14 points (4-8 3FG)
UNA
Donte Bacchus | 21 points (9-9 FG)
Jacari Lane | 18 points, 8 assists 6 rebounds
Corneilous Williams | 18 points (7-9 FG), 6 rebounds
Taye Fields | 16 points, 13 rebounds
COACH'S THOUGHTS
NOTES
- Smith scored 11 of the Ospreys' first 13 points and finished with a career-high 22 points, the second game with 20 or more points in his career.
- Miles added 18 points, which marked 17 of 19 games this season and 13 straight games for Miles with 10 or more points.
- Trailing 77-60, the Ospreys went on a 22-7 run to close the score to 84-82 with 47 seconds left.
- Liam Murphy added 14 points, his 15th game with 10 or more points this season.
- UNF knocked down 13 threes and has hit at least 10 threes in 15 of 19 games this season.
UP NEXT
North Florida travels to Charlotte, N.C., to face Queens (N.C.) inside Curry Arena on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.
