Jan. 9, 2009
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jonathan Whipple and Jon-Michael Nickerson each scored 12 points as the Kennesaw State men's basketball team fell 66-44 on Friday night to North Florida at UNF Arena in an Atlantic Sun Conference game.
The Owls, who have lost six straight contests (5-8, 1-3) led early by four points, but the lead would soon be erased by the Ospreys, who surged ahead to a 35-28 lead at the break on the strength of eight first-half points by Kyle Groothuis. KSU tried to keep it close early in the second half, but the Ospreys capitalized on poor shooting by the visitors to pull away for the win.
The Owls shot just 6-of-31 in the second half to finish with a 30.9 percent percentage from the field for the game. KSU went just 1-for-11 from beyond the three-point line, and even struggled from the charity stripe, hitting on 9-of-15.
UNF (3-12, 1-4) had four players score in double figues, led by Matt Sauey's 15. Cortez Riley scored 13 and added eight rebounds and six assits, while Eni Cuka had 12 and Groothuis added 10. Guard Germaine Sparkes just missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
The Ospreys grabbed 48 rebounds, compared to just 33 for the Owls. KSU saw the Ospreys grab 20 offensive rebounds in the contest.
KSU will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when it faces Jacksonville. Game time at Swisher Gym is set for 3:00 p.m.
