Redshirt sophomore guard Alexa Washington led North Florida with 15 points, but the team lost to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) 55-51 at UNF Arena on Thursday night.
Washington made four of her eleven three-point attempts. She has scored at least ten points in seven ASUN Conference games this season and in sixteen career games. Sophomore guard Jamisyn Stinson contributed ten points, six rebounds, and two steals over 36 minutes. Stinson has reached double figures in six of the last eight games.
Junior guard/forward Karyzma Pierre was close to a double-double, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds along with two steals in 32 minutes. Her nine points marked a season high for ASUN play.
North Florida started strong, taking an early 4-0 lead after baskets from junior guard Alonya Waldon and freshman forward Dezuray McGill. FGCU responded to take an 11-9 lead into the first-quarter media timeout.
Washington hit a three-pointer midway through the first quarter as North Florida opened by making half their shots from the field. An 8-0 run fueled by another Washington three helped North Florida regain a 14-11 advantage with just over three minutes left in the opening period. Buzzetti added another three-pointer to finish off that surge.
At the end of the first quarter, North Florida led FGCU 18-12 after shooting well from both inside and beyond the arc while forcing six turnovers that led to eight points.
Early in the second quarter, Washington made her third three-pointer of the game as North Florida built a double-digit lead going into the second-quarter media timeout. The Ospreys’ defense held FGCU scoreless for more than five minutes spanning two quarters.
Washington continued her strong performance with another three-pointer before Pierre connected from long range, giving North Florida a 33-26 halftime lead. By halftime, Washington had twelve points along with two assists and one steal.
Waldon and Stinson kept North Florida ahead early in the third quarter before Pierre’s layup and Waldon’s free throw helped maintain a six-point edge heading into the fourth period.
Washington scored again early in the fourth quarter as North Florida held a six-point advantage at the final media timeout. However, trailing by two late in regulation, McGill missed a potential game-tying shot with three seconds remaining.
North Florida outscored FGCU by six in the first quarter and held onto its lead for more than thirty-four minutes during the contest. The Ospreys also had advantages on second-chance points (12 to zero), bench scoring (11 to five), and offensive rebounds (12 to nine).
North Florida will stay at home for its next game against Jacksonville on Saturday at UNF Arena.
