The University of North Florida Ospreys clinch their first home playoff berth with their second half surge 93-78 victory over the Lipscomb University Bisons.
In front of an energizing home crowd, the Ospreys (17-11, 9-2) struggled in the first half with missed shots and turnovers against the Bisons’ (11-5, 5-6) defense. After being down 44-42 at the half, the Ospreys would go on a second half offensive spurt, controlling the court. Raw emotions from Lipscomb results in two technical fouls in the game against Lipscomb Head Coach Casey Alexander and Malcolm Smith, Lipscomb starting forward.
“I thought we really rebounded the ball well in the second half. And I thought that was the difference in the game,” UNF Head Coach Matthew Driscoll said. “I think (the Bisons) went four for their last nineteen from the field and I thought we eliminated them the one and done and we got to go out and play.”
Dallas Moore, UNF’s starting sophomore guard, showed his hot hand by scoring 21 points, seven rebounds and going 6-7 from the free throw line. Chris Davenport, UNF’s starting sophomore forward, scored 19 points, going 4-4 from the field.
On the defensive front, Jalen Nesbitt, UNF’s starting senior guard, and Beau Beech, UNF’s junior starting forward, grabbed 11 and six boards off the glass respectively.
Romelo Banks, UNF’s starting sophomore center, fouled out of the game in the middle of the second half with eight points. Lipscomb’s Josh Williams, sophomore, scored 23 points before fouling out in the last seconds of the game.
Next on the Ospreys’ schedule is their second home game against the Northern Kentucky University Norse on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Gallery photos by Morgan Purvis
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