Charleston So defeats North Florida 113-90
Charleston So Dominates North Florida in Statement Win
The Charleston So Cougars put on a clinic, dominating the visiting North Florida Ospreys 113-90 in their non-conference matchup at Buccaneer Fieldhouse.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that the home team was intent on making a statement. The Cougars took an early lead and never looked back, outscoring the Ospreys 58-41 in the first half to build a comfortable 55-41 advantage. The difference only grew wider in the second half, as Charleston So extended its lead by up to 25 points at times.
Jesse Hafemeister led the way for the Cougars, scoring 29 points on 5-for-10 shooting from three-point range. He was well-supported by Luke Williams, who chipped in with 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
For North Florida, Kamrin Oriol scored 29 points but struggled from beyond the arc, going just 2-for-7. BJ Plummer provided some scoring punch off the bench, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide against a well-balanced Charleston So team.
The Cougars' advantage in the paint was a significant factor in their success, as they outscored the Ospreys 26-36 on points inside the arc. Meanwhile, North Florida struggled from three-point range, converting just 34% of its attempts.
Charleston So's true shooting percentage (76.6%) and effective field goal percentage (73.8%) were indicative of a team that was well-coordinated and efficient in their offense. They also did a great job of containing the Ospreys' fast break attacks, limiting them to just four points on the way.
The Cougars' dominance was highlighted by their ability to quickly capitalize on turnovers, scoring 17 points off North Florida's nine miscues. This added to their already significant advantage in points off turnover (17-18).
In a game that had all the makings of an upset, Charleston So proved why they are a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
The Cougars' win was a statement of their ability to compete at the highest level, and it bodes well for their upcoming schedule.