During a miniature early December road trip, the University of North Florida women’s basketball team split a pair of games. 

On Dec. 4, the Ospreys traveled to Statesboro, Georgia, falling substantially behind in the second quarter to Georgia Southern University. As a result of trailing by 20 points at halftime, the Ospreys ended their two-game win streak, losing to the Eagles 70-44. 

Two days later, UNF made the few-hour drive, nearly due north to Asheville, North Carolina. Here, UNF faced the UNC Asheville Bulldogs and secured their first road win of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Game One vs. Georgia Southern

At the time, UNF was looking to extend its two-game win streak and take down its first team with a winning record. Defensively, UNF started well, holding the Eagles scoreless for the first three minutes. 

Halfway through the first quarter, sophomore forward Jamisyn Stinson hit her first three-pointer, evening the score at five. With 47 seconds left in the first quarter, junior Elle Blatchford knocked down a three to reduce the deficit, scoring her fifth point of the quarter. 

Heading into the second quarter, the Ospreys trailed 14-8. Doing it all by herself, freshman Dezuray McGil scored the first six points of the quarter for UNF, keeping the Ospreys within six.

Leading 20-14, following a timeout, the Eagles padded their lead, going on an 18-4 run to close out the half. To start the second half, Blatchford nailed another three, helping UNF reach 20 points. 

Two minutes into the third, Blatchford made a lay-up, reducing the Eagles’ lead to 15. However, UNF was held scoreless for the next three minutes, allowing Georgia Southern to extend its advantage to 21, its largest of the game. 

This was UNF’s best shooting quarter, making six of its 12 attempts. But once the final quarter ensued, it was more of the same. The Eagles outscored UNF 15-11 in the fourth, rolling to a 26-point victory. 

Overall, UNF shot a measily 35% from two-point range. Blatchford was the only Osprey in double-digits, scoring 10 points on 50% shooting. Defensively, UNF struggled to contain Destiny Garrett, giving up 24 points on 10-for-17 from the field. 

The Ospreys didn’t have much time to analyze this loss and maybe that boded well for them, seeing the next game’s result. 

Game Two vs UNC Asheville

Trying to end this road trip on a positive note, the Ospreys were facing an under .500 team, compared to Georgia Southern, who had a 4-3 record. Conversely, UNF was held scoreless for the first 2.5 minutes. 

Forcing a UNF timeout, the Bulldogs opened on a 12-4 run. Cutting the lead to one score, Stinson launched a three-pointer and redshirt junior Georgi Buzzetti’s layup made it a 14-11 game. 

Stinson’s second three tied the game at 14. Then, Blatchford tapped in a Stinson miss, snatching UNF’s first lead, 16-14. Capping off North Florida’s 12-0 run, Blatchford added another layup, doubling the Ospreys’ lead. 

Both teams traded blows in the second quarter, resulting in multiple ties and lead changes. Nevertheless, when Karyzma Pierre launched a three to give UNF a 25-23 lead midway through the quarter, it would be the last lead change of the game. \

UNF kept UNC Asheville at 23 points while continuing its scoring barrage, pushing its lead to 36-24 by halftime. And what a fitting way to end the first half than Stinson sinking another three.

Leading 40-28, the Ospreys went on an 8-0 run, starting and ending with Stinson buckets. This scoring spurt gave UNF a 20-point lead, 48-28, prompting an Asheville timeout. 

Alonya Waldon hit a three, passing the half-century mark for UNF. Stinson poured in two more threes, culminating in five made threes for the sophomore. In total, the Thornville, Ohio native finished with a career-high 23 points on the day.

Throughout the game, UNF methodically scored 18 or more points in each quarter, while holding the Bulldogs to 16 or fewer in all but one. UNF ended up winning 76-60, posting a season high in points. 

Essentially, UNF won so easily because the Bulldogs couldn’t stop UNF on the glass, allowing UNF to grab 18 offensive rebounds. Pair that with the Ospreys shooting 46.8% and UNF just found its winning recipe. UNF improved to 4-5 after winning three of its last four games.

The Ospreys will be off the court for ten days. UNF returns home to face Coastal Georgia on Dec. 16. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. inside UNF Arena

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