Late Run Pushes North Florida Past SSU

January 2 , 2008
JACKSONVILLE, Fl- Ahead by five points with 2:19 remaining, North Florida ended the contest with a 6-1 run as the Ospreys defeated Savannah State 56-46 in UNF Arena.

UNF held Savannah State to one field goal the final seven minutes of the contest.

North Florida led 25-24 at the half but a layup by SSU's Antoinette Williams gave the Tigers a 26-25 edge early in the second period.

Juliemay Syquio answered Williams basket with a 3-pointer and the Ospreys led 28-26 and never trailed again.

A pair of free throws by Shandrea Moore gave UNF a seven point advantage with 14:57 left but the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 39 with 9:37 on the clock.

UNF grabbed a three point lead but Savannah State answered by tying the game at 42 with LaToya James' layup with 7:39 showing.

The rest of the game, SSU made seven turnovers, converted two of four free throw attempts and only hit one of nine shots from the field.

In the first half, Savannah State led 6-2 before the Ospreys rallied back with a 13-2 spurt to go ahead by seven with 9:59 left.

SSU battled back and took a one point lead after LaShara Smith's jumper with 50 seconds left but North Florida's Tiffany Williams made a jumper with 39 seconds left to give the Ospreys a 25-24 advantage.

UNF out-rebounded Savannah State 53-33.

The Ospreys finished the game shooting 33 percent from the floor and committed 26 turnovers improved to 5-7. Savannah State, which shot 8-for-30 from the floor in the second period, dropped to 7-6.

Moore scored 13 of her game high 15 points in the second half to pace UNF.

Patrice Robinson led SSU with 14 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Smith added 12 points.