Given the team’s 2-14 record, morale was likely tested as the University of North Florida men’s basketball team prepared for its ASUN conference home opener. A winless month of December led to a six-game losing streak, during which UNF was allowing just over 95 points per game.

As the calendar flipped to 2026, UNF probably treated this new year as a fresh start, with the Ospreys scoring points against solid teams, such as 82 versus Columbia and 74 against Lipscomb in an eight-point loss.

Nevertheless, the same issues lingered for UNF, especially on the defensive side. UNF struggles to defend the three-point line and is allowing opponents to shoot over 50% from the field in this losing streak. These problems prevented UNF from snapping its losing streak, which spilled into ASUN action.

According to statistician Ken Pomeroy, the Ospreys ranked 365th in defensive efficiency before Thursday’s game against West Georgia. But even during low points, there are bright spots.

Amidst the losing streak, senior guard Kamrin Oriol has continued to be a positive offensively for UNF. The St Petersburg native is averaging just over 20 points per game during this nine-game skid. 

“[Oriol] has been [Oriol],” head coach Bobby Kennen said. “He’s been consistent. He’s been steady. He’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting for us.

And on a Thursday night at UNF Arena, the Master’s university transfer was two points away from a career-high, posting 28, including 21 in the second half. Ultimately, Oriol being two points from 30 wasn’t enough. 

Across the court, West Georgia led the way, producing three players with 20 or more points. The Wolves started strong and finished even stronger to defeat UNF 85-73. 

First Half

West Georgia opened the game perfectly from the court, knocking down its first six field goals, leading to a 13-4 Wolves advantage at the under-16 media timeout. Apart from two turnovers, West Georgia had its way offensively, making layups, jumpers, and three-point shots. 

Out of the timeout, North Florida showed some life, going on a 12-4 run to reduce West Georgia’s lead to one. It all started with freshman BJ Plummer finding redshirt sophomore Mason Lee for a corner three. Then, Plummer found the rim, driving into the paint and finishing with a one-handed layup. 

Both squads traded layups, keeping West Georgia’s six-point lead. Sophomore Dante Oliver cut the Wolves’ lead in half, sinking a three-pointer to make it 17-14. 

Halfway through the first half, each team traded three-pointers. Leading scorer Kamrin Oriol launched a step-back three, reducing West Georgia’s lead to one score. Around 15 seconds later, West Georgia answered with a four-point play, making a three-pointer while getting fouled.

Trailing 26-19, in between another West Georgia three, Oliver scored the next five points for UNF, pacing with the Wolves. Plummer nailed a three-pointer, inching UNF closer, down only one. 

West Georgia responded with a quick 11-2 run, passing the 40 mark on a Josh Smith three-pointer. At halftime, the Wolves reached a double-digit lead, their largest of the game. 

Second Half

Leading by 10, West Georgia once again let UNF back in the game, surrendering a 7-0 run to start the final frame. A Plummer three, Oriol layup, and Nestor Dyachok bucket brought UNF within one possession. 

Shel Williams-Dryden, who finished with 27 for West Georgia, ended the Ospreys’ run. For the next few minutes, UNF stayed in this game, keeping the deficit at just a handful of points.

Mostly, this was because of Oriol and graduate transfer Dalton Gayman, who were the only two Ospreys that finished with double-digit points. After those two buckets, UNF went on its first major scoring drought of the game, going scoreless for over four minutes.

Taking advantage of this, West Georgia went on a 10-0 run, giving the road team its largest lead, 65-52. From this point on, it was the Oriol show, scoring 13 of the next 17 points for UNF. 

This trimmed West Georgia’s once double-digit lead to four, forcing a Wolves timeout. Out of the timeout, West Georgia made another step-back three, which was likely the dagger. 

Postgame reaction

Trailing by seven with limited time remaining, UNF fouled to stop the clock, but West Georgia made all of its pressure-free throws. Acknowledging that his team is improving at rebounding, Kennen said their opponents are making key plays at crucial times. 

“We’ve gotten so much better on the glass, particularly on the defensive glass,” Kennen said. “But I think it was the same thing at Columbia, like they had key offensive rebounds at key moments tonight.”

Following the game, Coach Kennen thought his team had a good game plan that was stymied by players on West Georgia performing well when it mattered. To illustrate, Kennen mentioned a moment where Williams-Dryden scored over a double team. 

“And sometimes at the end of the game it comes down to players making plays and we just hope we make more than they do at the end of the game,” the first-year head coach said. 

With the win, West Georgia improves to 9-6 and UNF drops to 2-14. Facing a quick turnaround, the Ospreys will look to end their nine-game losing streak at home against Queens on Saturday. 

Tip-off is at 2 p.m. inside UNF Arena. On the same night, Queens defeated cross-town rival JU 77-51. 

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