Columbia defeats North Florida 82-90
Columbia Escapes with 90-82 Victory over North Florida in Thrilling Homecoming Showdown
In front of their energetic home crowd at the UNF Arena, the University of North Florida Ospreys struggled to contain the visiting Columbia Lions on Tuesday night, ultimately falling short in a thrilling 90-82 contest.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and showcasing impressive scoring efficiency. At halftime, North Florida held a slim lead of 43-42, but it wouldn't be long before Columbia began to pull away.
In the second half, the Lions made several key adjustments, including a switch to a smaller lineup that allowed them to exploit the Ospreys' defense on the perimeter. Kenny Noland led the way for Columbia, scoring 27 points on 60% shooting from the field and 4-7 from three-point range.
GAME LEADERS
North Florida:
* Kamrin Oriol: 24 points (2-6 3PT), 52.9% FG
* Devin Hines: 8 rebounds, 6 points, 4 assists
* Kamrin Oriol: 5 assists, 24 points, 4 rebounds
Columbia:
* Kenny Noland: 27 points (4-7 3PT), 60.0% FG
* Connor Igoe: 9 rebounds, 6 points, 6 assists
* Connor Igoe: 6 assists, 6 points, 9 rebounds
COMPREHENSIVE TEAM STATISTICS
North Florida Game Stats:
* Field Goals: 30/65 (46.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 19/36 (52.8%)
* 3-Point FG: 11/29 (38.0%)
* Free Throws: 11/12 (92.0%)
* Rebounds: 26
* Assists: 14
* Turnovers: 8
* Steals: 3
* Blocks: 1
Columbia Game Stats:
* Field Goals: 32/55 (58.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 23/35 (65.7%)
* 3-Point FG: 9/20 (45.0%)
* Free Throws: 17/21 (81.0%)
* Rebounds: 35
* Assists: 18
* Turnovers: 11
* Steals: 6
GAME FLOW
The game's largest lead was held by North Florida, but Columbia responded with a series of baskets to close the gap and ultimately take control. In the final minutes, the Lions employed a full-court press that disrupted the Ospreys' offense and led to several turnovers.
Despite the loss, North Florida showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. The game served as a testament to the team's ability to compete with top-tier opponents and will likely fuel their continued growth throughout the season.
As the Ospreys look to bounce back from this tough road loss, they'll have to regroup and refocus on the upcoming schedule. For Columbia, this win marks an important milestone in their non-conference slate and sets the stage for a strong finish to the year.
The final whistle blew, and the Columbia Lions celebrated a hard-fought 90-82 victory over North Florida, proving that they're more than capable of competing with the best teams in the country.