The University of North Florida men’s basketball team’s season came to an end on a Thursday night at Swisher Gymnasium with a 93-85 loss to the University of West Georgia in the Atlantic Sun Tournament First Round.
The Ospreys shrunk a 23-point deficit to four, but couldn’t convert late in the game, allowing the Wolves to survive and advance. Senior guard Kamrin Oriol led the way for the Ospreys, scoring 28 points.
This was Oriol’s 17th game with 20 or more points. While Oriol’s production has been a consistent bright spot, North Florida’s defense has been a frequent Achilles’ heel. Halfway through the first half, UNF trailed 29-17, on pace to give up nearly 120 points.
First Half
Offensively, the Wolves were nearly perfect to start, making 10 of their first 12 shots and jumping out to an early double-digit lead, 24-14. UNF kept pace early by trading baskets.
Sophomore guard Kent Jackson scored UNF’s first five points, sinking a 3-pointer and a layup. Jackson nailed his second 3-pointer, cutting West Georgia’s lead to single digits.
A few minutes later, trailing 29-17, Oriol and BJ Plummer scored the Ospreys next eight points. Oriol made two from three-point range and Plummer made two free throws. Trailing 41-28, UNF went on a 7-0 run over nearly two minutes.
Whenever UNF cut into West Georgia’s lead, the Wolves always answered. The Wolves made their final three shots to extend the lead to 48-35 at halftime. In the first half, West Georgia shot an astounding 58.8% from the field and over 53% from 3-point range.
The Ospreys were 9 of 27 overall (33.3%) and 6 of 17 (35.3%). Free throws were the only thing keeping UNF from being down by more than 20 points. Despite not being a high free-throw shooting team, UNF made 11 3-pointers in the first half, compared to one for the Wolves.
Second Half
Similar to the first half, West Georgia started the second half strong, hitting six of their first seven shots. An 11-4 run gave the Wolves their largest lead of the game, 62-39.
From there, the Ospreys’ methodical comeback attempt began. Four different Ospreys recorded layups to start the run: graduate transfer Dalton Gayman, Jacksonville Beach native Mason Lee, Oriol and Plummer.
With 13:16 remaining, this 8-0 paint barrage brought UNF within 15 points, 62-47. The teams traded baskets for the next couple of minutes. With under 10 minutes left, another Oriol layup cut West Georgia’s lead to under 15.
On the next possession, Jackson stole the ball and hit a 3-pointer, cutting the lead to 10. The Ospreys were slowly coming back.
Jackson made a mid-range jumper, cutting the UNF deficit to single-digits for the first time since early in the first half. Lee followed with a layup, pulling UNF within seven.
As the game progressed, UNF mounted its comeback. Two Oriol free throws made it a five-point game with under two minutes left.
UNF intentionally fouled on the next possession and the Wolves missed the first free throw of a one-and-one, giving the Ospreys a chance to make it a one-possession game.
However, two Ospreys: Oriol and Gayman, missed 3-pointers, helping West Georgia keep its slim lead. Both teams traded free throws, bringing the score to 81-76.
West Georgia missed another free throw, but Oriol missed a layup. UNF couldn’t force a steal and West Georgia made nine of their next ten free throws.
As a result, UNF’s comeback bid and season ended. West Georgia is moving on to the quarterfinals.
After the loss, UNF dropped to 7-25, and West Georgia improved to 15-16. UNF enters another long offseason, looking for answers on defense.
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