West Georgia defeats North Florida 73-85

West Georgia Edges North Florida in Conference Showdown

The West Georgia Wolves (AWAY) pulled off a 85-73 victory over the North Florida Ospreys (HOME) at UNF Arena on January 8, 2026, securing a crucial conference win for the road team.

At halftime, West Georgia trailed by only two points, but a strong second-half performance propelled them to a 12-point lead. The Wolves' ability to contain the Ospreys in the paint and capitalize on their fast-break opportunities proved decisive in the outcome.

Shelton Williams-Dryden led all scorers for West Georgia with 27 points, also grabbing 10 rebounds and contributing one assist. Josh Smith chipped in with 22 points, three assists, and three steals to help his team secure a much-needed win on the road.

Kamrin Oriol paced North Florida with 28 points, shooting 52.6% from the field and making two of his nine three-point attempts. Dalton Gayman added eight rebounds, 16 points, and two assists for the Ospreys.

The Wolves' superior free-throw shooting, which made 17 of 20 attempts (85%), helped them pull away in the fourth quarter. In contrast, North Florida struggled at the line, converting just eight of their 11 tries (73.0%).

West Georgia's strong team statistics reflected their balanced attack. The Wolves shot 48.0% from the field and 57.9% from two-point range, while limiting North Florida to 44.0% shooting. West Georgia also outrebounded their opponents 33-32 and forced nine turnovers.

The win marked a significant conference victory for West Georgia and demonstrated their ability to compete with top-tier teams in the league. For the Ospreys, the tough loss will serve as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in their quest for success.