Five Ospreys Score In Double Figures To Propel Men's Basketball Past California Baptist, 71-63

Tuesday, November 3

Riverside, Calif. / Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center

10 p.m.

University of North Florida

1-0,0-0ASUN

California Baptist

0-1,0-0Big West

Team	1	2	F
North Florida	33	38	71
California Baptist	31	32	63

Mason Watkins, Elijah Elliott and Kent Jackson celebrate after a big play

11/4/2026 1:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Five Ospreys scored in double figures to propel the University of North Florida Men's Basketball past California Baptist, 71-63, in its season opener at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center on Tuesday night.

Junior guard Kent Jackson led all Ospreys with 15 points in 28 minutes. It marked his 26th career game with 10 or more points. Sophomore guard Mason Watkins turned in 13 points on 6-10 from the field, in addition to seven rebounds in 32 minutes in his collegiate debut. 10 of Watkins' 13 points came in the second half.

Junior guard/forward JR Bartelus added 12 points and three rebounds on 5-8 from the field in 26 minutes. Sophomore forward Ayuba Bryant Jr. turned in 11 points on 4-6 from the field, in addition to seven rebounds in 29 minutes. Senior guard/forward Mason Lee posted 11 points and six rebounds on 4-6 from the field and 3-5 from three in 22 minutes.

North Florida outscored California Baptist 20-14 in points off turnovers, 42-20 in points in the paint and 13-10 in fast break points.

North Florida led for 32:24 in the game. North Florida limited California Baptist to 35.0 percent from the field and 14.8 percent from three.

North Florida opened its largest lead of the first half at 25-19 on a steal and finish from sophomore guard BJ Plummer. The first half featured nine ties and six lead changes, but North Florida commanded a 33-31 at the half.

Bartelus led all Ospreys with 10 points on 4-5 from the field in the first half. Bartelus scored eight-straight points over a 1:47-minute stretch in the initial half.

Lee knocked down back-to-back threes out of the locker room to secure a 39-34 lead. North Florida went on a 7-0 run in the second half to extend its lead to 43-34 at the 17:13-minute mark.

Watkins finished a driving layup to cap off an 8-0 run for the largest lead of the game at 54-43 at the 11:36-minute mark of the second half.

The margin didn't get closer than two possessions for the remainder of the game as North Florida converted down the stretch to reach the eventual final. North Florida connected on 50 percent from the field in the second half.

Bartelus made his Division-I debut, while Watkins and freshman forward Isaiah Brown made their collegiate debuts. Bryant Jr. and senior guard Eddie Placer made their North Florida debuts.

North Florida heads to Los Angeles, Calif. to battle No. 22/RV UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.