UNF was coming off their first conference victory and were looking to make it two straight as they had just beaten the Central Arkansas Bears on Thursday night. However, Lipscomb came into UNF Arena following a tough loss at Jacksonville University just two nights prior. The Bisons were a motivated group as they came out on the winning end, beating the Ospreys 77-74.
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it was a tightly contested game that featured five lead changes and great individual performances by both teams. Ashan Asadullah led the Bisons with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Carter Hendricksen set a new career high with 26 points, seven rebounds, and a block defensively.
It was a great game by both teams on the defensive end as Lipscomb had 14 steals and UNF had 10 blocks. The Ospreys caught fire and the momentum shifted their way late in the second half when Johnathan Aybar had two huge put-back dunks and a chase down block defensively. But, Parker Hazen went on a little run himself to put the Bisons ahead with a huge dunk and layup on that end of the floor. UNF rallied late and was able to make it a one possession game but failed to convert on the last play of the game as they had turned the ball over with 4.7 seconds left.
After the game, we asked Johnathan Aybar about the impact he had on the game in the second half and he had this to say:
“Well, one thing we always talk about before the game is just bringing the energy. You know energy is always going to find you and the team.”
Carter Hendricksen chimed in and had this to say about Johnathan as well:
“I will say Johnathan is incredible, energy-wise. He is an incredible human being and basketball player. What he does for us may go unnoticed, but he does a lot for us.”
Coach Driscoll spoke very highly of the defensive impact his team showed on the interior as they swatted away 10 shots, the most in a UNF game since 2019 vs. Lipscomb.
UNF now falls to 1-7 in conference play and 5-17 overall.
UNF will hit the road and take on their first of two games in Alabama; first at Jacksonville State, then at North Alabama.
(Featured image by OspreyMBB/Twitter)