66
North Alabama UNA 10-22
76
Winner North Florida UNF 16-16
North Alabama UNA
10-22
66
Final
76
North Florida UNF
16-16
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
North Alabama UNA 29 37 66
North Florida UNF 30 46 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UNA MEN FALL IN ASUN QUARTERFINALS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Four players reached double figures in scoring as North Florida held off North Alabama Monday in the quarterfinal round of the ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament. With the loss, UNA closes out its first Division I basketball season with a 10-22 record.
 
UNF took a 30-29 lead into the half and never trailed over the final 20 minutes of play. UNA remained within striking distance, but could get no closer than four points down the stretch.
 
"I though it was a tremendously hard-fought game by both teams," said UNA head coach Tony Pujol. "I'm proud of my guys for the way they competed. It was exciting to have an opportunity to play in the postseason in the ASUN."
 
 
UNA led 29-25 with 2:40 remaining in the first half after Christian Agnew was fouled after hitting a three-pointer from the right corner. His free throw completed the four-point play. The Ospreys, however, used a 14-3 run that covered the closing minutes of the first half and the first 2:26 of the second half to grab a lead it would never relinquish.
 
The two teams traded runs in the second half. After UNF grabbed a 39-32 lead, the Lions responded to pull within a single point twice. A jumper by Agnew cut the UNF lead to 43-42 at the 14:25 mark and free throw by Kendarius Smith later cut the deficit to 47-46 with 13:00 to play.
 
The Ospreys answered each time. After the free throw by Smith, consecutive three-point baskets by Ryan Burkhardt stretched the lead back to seven points. UNF pushed the lead to double digits with 4:21 remaining before the Lions made one final run.
 
After a pair of free throws gave the home team a 61-51 lead, four different players scored for UNA in an 8-2 spurt. Smtih connected on 1-of-2 foul shots to make the score 63-59 at the 2:16 mark.
 
UNF, however, got baskets on its next two offensive possessions, then hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute of play to seal the win.
 
After connecting on just 8-of-29 field goals in first half, the Ospreys shot 48.3 percent from the floor after the break. Neither team led by more than five points in the opening 20 minutes. North Florida was able to equal its largest lead of the game with a free throw with 10.1 seconds remaining.
 
"I thought our guys did a tremendous job on defense in the first half," added Pujol. "North Florida was able to make some plays in the second half. They were able to hits some shots from the perimeter. I credit them for making adjustments and stepping up to make plays in the second half. It was also good for our young guys to see that and learn from that experience."
 
North Florida entered the game as the top rebounding team in the ASUN. The Lions, however, held a commanding 52-39 advantage on the boards, including 20 on offense. The Lions finished the game with 14 second-chance points and connected on 34.2 percent of their shots from the floor.
 
Jamari Blackmon led UNA with 15 points. Smith, playing in his final game for the Lions, turned in a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Agnew added 13 points while UNA's other senior, Kendall Stafford, scored 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Emanuel Littles rounded out the top performers for North Alabama with 11 rebounds and six points.
 
Garrett Sams led UNF (16-16) with a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Ospreys will face Liberty in the ASUN Semifinal round on Thursday.

 
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Players Mentioned

Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

G
5' 10"
Senior
Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

G/F
6' 4"
Senior
Christian Agnew

#2 Christian Agnew

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

G
6' 0"
Freshman
Emanuel Littles

#21 Emanuel Littles

F
6' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

5' 10"
Senior
G
Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

6' 4"
Senior
G/F
Christian Agnew

#2 Christian Agnew

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

6' 0"
Freshman
G
Emanuel Littles

#21 Emanuel Littles

6' 8"
Freshman
F