By: Jordan Harirchi, Assistant Sports Editor
The Ospreys (10-12, 4-5 Atlantic Sun) started their weekend with a 69-58 loss Jan. 21 against the conference leader Mercer Bears (15-7, 7-2 A-Sun ) but snapped their four-game losing streak Jan. 23 against the struggling Kennesaw State Owls (3-18, 0-9 A-Sun).
The Ospreys showed their Mr. Hyde in a one-sided game against the Bears, as they only held the lead once throughout the game. Against the Owls, the game was again one-sided but in favor of the Ospreys. The Ospreys never allowed the Owls to take the lead. Here’s a brief analysis of the weekend’s games:
Ospreys can’t find rhythm from the three-point line. The Ospreys, shooting 35 percent from the three-point range, are ranked 147 out 344 college basketball teams, according to ESPN. The team didn’t improve on that percentage this weekend, going 9-32 for a meager 28.1 percent from beyond the arc.The three-point troubles would prove most costly against Mercer, as the Ospreys converted two of their 14 three-point shots.
What’s wrong, Jerron? Jerron Grannberry greatly contributed to the Ospreys’ three-point shooting troubles. Grannberry managed to average nine points a game on the weekend, slightly lower than his 10.3 average on the year, but he did so at the expense of missing many more than he made. Over the course of two games, Grannberry went 2-15 from three-point range and 5-20 total from the field.
Ospreys turn charity stripe into bankruptcy stripe. The Ospreys get to the free-throw line frequently but just can’t sink the free points. Out the 47 times the Ospreys made it to the line this weekend, the team could only sink 53.2 percent of those attempts. That is lower than its already terrible 64.3 percent average on the season.
Travis Wallace continues to be a monster. Put the ball in Wallace’s hands because he likes to find the bottom of the net. Wallace averaged 23.5 points, shooting 64.5 percent from the field, 4.5 rebounds and one block per game on the weekend. Over the last five games, Wallace averaged 17.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He continues to prove his worth, extending his double-figure scoring stretch to seven games and winning his third Atlantic Sun Conference Newcomer of the Week award this season.
Email Jordan at asst.sports@unfspinnaker.com.
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