University of North Florida
4-1,0-0ASUN
Central Arkansas
2-2,0-0UAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT 1 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Florida | 10 | 18 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 71 |
| Central Ark. | 10 | 14 | 13 | 23 | 10 | 70 |
11/14/2026 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CONWAY, Ark. - North Florida Women's Basketball (4-1) secured its fourth consecutive victory Saturday afternoon, defeating Central Arkansas, 71-70, in overtime at the Farris Center behind a game-winning buzzer-beater from senior guard Alonya Waldon.
The victory marked North Florida's first win over Central Arkansas in program history and its second consecutive road victory. Waldon delivered the game-winning jumper as time expired in overtime, finishing with a team-high 17 points.
Waldon shot 11-of-12 from the free-throw line, scoring 15 of her 17 points between the fourth quarter and overtime. Freshman forward Belle Ratliff bounced back from a quiet first half, scoring 12 of her 14 points after halftime to record her first collegiate double-double. Ratliff finished with a season-high 10 rebounds while shooting 5-of-12 from the field, including eight points in the third quarter.
Senior guard Elle Blatchford added 10 points, two assists and a block, coming through with several clutch plays in overtime to help secure the victory. Senior guard Alexa Washington and junior guard Brianna Mead each contributed six points. Junior guard Jamisyn Stinson finished with five points and six rebounds.
North Florida opened the contest with a 10-10 tie after the first quarter before finding its rhythm offensively in the second. The Ospreys connected on four three-pointers in the period, including two from Washington, to outscore Central Arkansas, 18-14, and take a 28-24 advantage into halftime.
The Ospreys continued to build momentum in the third quarter, outscoring the Sugar Bears, 20-13, to extend their lead to 48-37 entering the fourth. North Florida built its largest lead of the afternoon at 13 points late in the third quarter.
Central Arkansas rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 points to tie the contest at 60-60 on a basket with eight seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.
Senior guard Elle Blatchford delivered a clutch layup with 1:36 remaining in overtime to give North Florida a 67-66 advantage. Central Arkansas answered with a jumper from Jenna Cook at the 1:01 mark to regain the lead, 68-67, before Cook connected on two free throws with 38 seconds remaining to extend the Sugar Bears' advantage to 70-67.
Waldon answered with two free throws of her own with 34 seconds remaining to bring the Ospreys within one, 70-69. Following a missed shot from Central Arkansas with six seconds remaining, Blatchford secured the defensive rebound before Waldon connected on the game-winning jumper as time expired, sealing the 71-70 victory.
North Florida shot 46.0 percent (23-of-50) from the field, 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from three-point range and 90.5 percent (19-of-21) from the free-throw line. The Ospreys outrebounded Central Arkansas, 37-32, while receiving 36 points from their bench.
North Florida returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 17, traveling to Orlando, Fla., to face in-state opponent UCF.
GAME NOTES
-
North Florida improved to 4-1 on the season, extending its winning streak to four games.
-
The Ospreys earned their first victory over Central Arkansas in program history and secured their second consecutive road win.
-
Senior guard Alonya Waldon scored a team-high 17 points, including 11 in overtime and the game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
-
Waldon shot 11-of-12 (91.7 percent) from the free-throw line, scoring 15 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
-
Freshman forward Belle Ratliff recorded her first collegiate double-double with 14 points and a season-high 10 rebounds, scoring 12 points after halftime.
-
Senior guard Elle Blatchford added 10 points, two assists and one block, including a clutch layup and defensive rebound in overtime.
-
North Florida placed three players in double figures for the second consecutive game.
-
The Ospreys shot 90.5 percent (19-of-21) from the free-throw line.
-
North Florida connected on four three-pointers in the second quarter and built a 13-point lead in the third.
-
The Ospreys outrebounded Central Arkansas, 37-32, while holding the Sugar Bears to 19.2 percent (5-of-26) shooting from three-point range.
-
North Florida received 36 bench points and outscored Central Arkansas, 28-26, in the paint.
