The UNF men’s basketball team opened up Atlantic Sun play Thursday night inside the UNF Arena, as used a 81-74 win over Florida Gulf Coast University to improve to 4-3 on the season (1-0 A-Sun).

On one of the coldest nights so far this winter, senior guard Brad Haugabrook warmed up the UNF Arena early with 18 first-half points. He was aggressive early setting the tone for the Ospreys who used Haugabrook’s hot start to jump out to a 40-30 halftime lead.

The Ospreys built a second half lead that got as high as 20 but turnovers, and bad defense allowed FGCU back in to the game. The Eagles got to within two points with 30 seconds left in the second half. But that is as close as they would get as a pair of free throws by freshman Charles McCoy and another one by junior Jimmy Williams would give the Ospreys a five point lead they would not relinquish.

Williams and Matt Sauey kept the Ospreys in front late in the second half. Both scored three points the hard way with and-ones, which helped keep the Ospreys in the lead late.

UNF takes the court next against Stetson University on Saturday at 7 p.m. inside the UNF Arena.