The week ahead in First Coast college basketball: UNF, JU will have busy weeks in ASUN
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Posted By: S. Moore on January 02, 2023 The opening ASUN games of the season for the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University on Saturday went very different ways. The Ospreys trailed most of the game to Austin Peay at UNF Arena but rallied to tie in regulation and then dominated overtime to win 90-85. However, the Dolphins frittered away an 18-point lead at Florida Gulf Coast and let one get away in a 72-65 loss in which JU failed to score for the last 4:38 of the game. With JU’s defense, an 18-point lead at any point in the second half should be safe. However, during a 26-6 run to give them the lead for good, FGCU hit six shots in a row and 10 of 14, led by Zach Anderson, who scored 10 points during the run. Both teams need to have short memories. A busy first week of conference play packs three games into six days (and four in eight days, counting the openers on Saturday). UNF hits the road twice, at Stetson on Monday and Gulf Coast on Saturday, the JU is home twice, on Monday against Jacksonville State and Saturday against Lipscomb, with their 19-game home winning streak on the line. Men Player of the week: Junior guard Jarius Hicklen scored 42 points in two games and hit two key 3-pointers with seven seconds left in regulation and in overtime in the Ospreys’ 90-85 victory over Austin Peay. Hicklen had 18 points, four assists and five rebounds in that game, and had 24 points, making 6 of 9 from beyond the 3-point arc, in a 90-62 exhibition game victory over Atlantis. Stat line of the week: UNF’s Carter Hendricksen had 15 points, 12 rebounds and four assists against Austin Peay. He made 8 of 9 free throws, including his last six in the final 1:41 of regulation and overtime. Noting UNF (6-7, 0-1 ASUN): Jose Placer scored 17 points to pass 1,000 for his college career, joining Hicklen and Hendricksen. … Coach Matthew Driscoll is now 12-2 in ASUN home openers and 10-4 in all conference opening games. … The Ospreys have won eight of their last nine games against Stetson, their opponent on Monday. Noting JU (7-5, 0-1 ASUN): Sophomore guard Gyasi Powell, a Bishop Snyder graduate, has averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his last three games, and has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. ... The Dolphins play host to Jacksonville State on Monday. The split last year's series but JU has won eight of the last nine meetings. Noting Edward Waters (2-8, 2-5 SIAC): The Tigers have taken only seven players to the Virgin Islands HBCU Invitational, mostly because of travel issues. They lost the first two games, 93-70 to Virginia State and 105-80 to Clinton College (S.C.). Ca’Darrius Crumb had 14 points and 11 rebounds against Virginia State and Tavares Oliver added 18 points. Oliver then scored 23 against Clinton, while Felix Hayes added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Noting Trinity Baptist (5-5): The Eagles were idle last week. They will play Welch College (Tenn.) for the second time this season on Thursday. Trinity won 65-55 in November. Noting Flagler (6-7, 0-2 Peach Belt): After losing 12 of 14 games to Columbus State, the Saints; opponent on Wednesday, they have won the last three meetings. This week Monday Edward Waters at Virgin Islands HBCU Classic Jacksonville State at Jacksonville, 7 p.m. North Florida at Stetson, 7 p.m. Wednesday Columbus State (Ga.) at Flagler, 7:30 p.m. Thursday Kennesaw at North Florida, 7 p.m. Jacksonville at Stetson, 7 p.m. Welch College (Tenn.) at Trinity Baptist, 8 p.m. Saturday Albany State at Edward Waters, 3 p.m. Flagler at USC-Aiken, 3:30 p.m. Lipscomb at Jacksonville, 6 p.m. North Florida at Florida Gulf Coast, 7 p.m. Women Player of the week: JU senior guard DeShari Graham had 21 points and made 4 of 7 3-point attempts in the Dolphins’ 74-54 victory over Florida A&M. She has made 10 of 20 3-pointers in her last four games. Stat line of the week: In addition to her scoring, Graham added six rebounds, four steals and one blocked shot. Noting UNF (3-8): The Ospreys were off last week. They will be trying to break a three-game losing streak against Stetson as they open their ASUN schedule in DeLand on Monday. Noting JU (6-4): The Dolphins had their defense particularly greedy in the victory over Florida A&M. JU had 16 steals and three blocked shots, with FAMU turning the ball over 28 times. The Dolphins open their ASUN schedule on Monday at home against Bellarmine. They have won two of the three meetings against the Knights. Noting Edward Waters (5-6): The Tigers’ game against Lane College (Tenn.) on Monday ends a 16-day break. Noting Trinity Baptist (3-7): The Eagles will play their first game in 24 days against Welch College on Thursday. Noting Flagler (3-9, 0-2 Peach Belt): The Saints were down only four points at halftime at St. Leo on Friday but were outscored 51-14 in the second half in a 72-41 loss. Sharale McCormack led Flagler with 15 points and added six rebounds. This week Monday Bellarmine at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. North Florida at Stetson, 5 p.m. Lane College (Tenn.) at Edward Waters, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Columbus State (Ga.) at Flagler, 5:30 p.m. LeMoyne-Owen (Tenn.) at Edward Waters, 5:30 p.m. Thursday Welch College (Tenn.) at Trinity Baptist, 6 p.m. North Florida at Queens, 6 p.m. Jacksonville at Florida Gulf Coast, 7 p.m. Saturday Albany State at Edward Waters, 1 p.m. Flagler at USC-Aiken, 1:30 p.m. Lipscomb at North Florida, 2 p.m. Sunday Jacksonville at Liberty, 2 p.m. SOURCE The Gainsville Sun If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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