In an ASUN conference showdown on Thursday evening, the North Florida Ospreys recorded their first win of the calendar year and snapped a seven-game losing skid.
It was a tightly contested game in the first half where both teams were pretty aggressive defensively, and the Central Arkansas Bears lead 40-38 at halftime. The second half, meanwhile, was an absolutely dominant performance on both ends by the Ospreys and they outscored the Bears 55-34.
Jose Placer and Jarius Hicklen lead the way for the Ospreys as they both chipped in 24 points and combined for ten three-pointers. The Ospreys got off to a quick start in the second half by hitting an early corner three to Hicklen, and UNF made 10-20 threes in the second half. The crowd erupted and was ignited when Chaz Lanier had an and-one fast break dunk which swung all of the momentum in favor of the Ospreys.
UNF took care of the boards, out-rebounding Central Arkansas 51-34, and were stout in the paint blocking eight shots. Everywhere you looked in the second half, the Ospreys dominated every facet of the game and Head Coach Matthew Driscoll was very pleased with his teams performance.
When we asked Coach Driscoll about the teams performance in the second half, he had this to say:
“For us to have the wherewithal and the ability to sustain whatever happened in the first half – and then carry it though the second half holding them to 34 points. Like that part I am so super proud of.”
Both guards Jose Placer and Jarius Hicklen were both pleased with their individual performance as well as the teams performance, expressing how great of a feeling it was to be in a rhythm like they were in the second half.
UNF will stay in Jacksonville and get ready to take on Lipscomb this Saturday evening at 5:00 PM EST.
(Featured image by OspreyMBB/Twitter)