On Military Appreciation night, North Florida (3-5 Overall ) rolled through Florida A&M Rattlers (3-5 Overall) in a 81-62 rout.

In the first half, North Florida started off the game ice-cold, shooting 1-7 from the field. The Rattlers were able to take advance of North Florida’s shooting slump and take an early 6-5 lead. As the game went on, the Ospreys roared back and grabbed the lead following back-to-back dunks from Junior Wajid Aminu and a three-point shot from Sophomore Ryan Burkhardt. The Ospreys would go on to assert their dominance and hold the Rattlers to just 26 percent shooting from the field. The Ospreys ended the half with a buzzer-beating shot from Freshman Carter Hendricksen. North Florida led Florida A&M at the half, 35-17.

“It’s always great when you’re making threes but it’s even better when you’re not making threes but and you’re defending at the level we’re defending at,” said Coach Driscoll.

Coming out of the half, North Florida continued to pick up where they left off. The Ospreys would continue to get points in transition and earn trips to the free throw line. Junior Noah Horchler was a recipient of many outlet passes that led to easy buckets.

“Coach preaches run straight to the rim at practice,” said Horchler.

The Ospreys would continue to catch the Rattler defense asleep with their passes. North Florida led by as much as 34 before Florida A&M would go on a 16 point run to bring the deficit to 25. The Ospreys would end the night with a comfortable lead and knock off the Rattlers, 81-62.

Horchler led the Ospreys with 23 points and 8 rebounds, Junior Wajid Aminu scored 12 points and also grabbed 8 rebounds in the win and Junior Ivan Gandia-Rosa commanded the offense with seven points and eight assists.  Sophomore Bryce Moragne scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Rattlers.

North Florida will go on the road to face the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m.  

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