By: Zach Morgan, Contributing Writer
The UNF women’s basketball team is heading into the final three games of the regular season, and its current standing in the Atlantic Sun Conference is advantageous.
The Ospreys sit at fourth in the conference, and with three conference games remaining and a plethora of teams within striking distance, the conference tournament seeds are completely up in the air.
The Ospreys split their last two games, losing to USC Upstate Feb. 9 and defeating ETSU Feb 11.
UNF’s loss to Upstate marked its second loss to the Spartans in under a month. The Ospreys struggled offensively and were unable to contain the Spartans defensively, but in their mind they lost to themselves, not the Spartans.
“I think a lot of times, it’s not what the opponent does,” said Brittany Kirkland, who reached the 1,500-career points plateau against Upstate. “A lot of times it’s our effort, and our miscues, that cause us to lose a ball game. Against ETSU we were more focused, more aggressive and we wanted it more.”
UNF bounced back against ETSU and defeated the Buccaneers in an overtime thriller, 74-69. Junior Jadhken Kerr recorded a career night on the offensive side of the ball for the Ospreys. Kerr nailed seven three-pointers, a team record for most three-pointers in a game. Kerr tallied 25 points, nine rebounds and a block in 41 minutes of action. She finished the game needing only two three-pointers to tie the program record of 206 treys, set by Leigh Gaudy. While the mark is special, it’s the last thing on Kerr’s mind while she is playing.
“I don’t really think about that while I’m playing,” Kerr said. “It’s a good accomplishment … I just like to shoot the ball a lot and hope it goes in.”
The Ospreys play all three remaining games in Jacksonville, with two home games this week and a season-concluding trip across town to take on the rival Dolphins.
The Ospreys host Mercer in their Play4Kay game Feb. 16. Play4Kay is an initiative to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, which benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support.
Kennesaw State visits UNF Feb. 18, in its final home game of the season.
Email Zach Morgan at sports@unfspinnaker.com.
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