North Florida's Kent Jackson stole the show at Flowers Hall, scoring 35 points to lead the Ospreys to a 105-91 win over North Alabama. Jackson's impressive performance, which also included 6 rebounds and 5 assists, helped North Florida secure a convincing 14-point victory. The Ospreys' guard was unstoppable, hitting shots from all over the court and controlling the tempo of the game.
North Alabama's Corneilous Williams put up a valiant effort, scoring 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Ospreys' high-powered offense. The Lions' Canin Jefferson and Kevin de Kovachich also chipped in with 21 and 19 points, respectively, but North Alabama's defense struggled to contain North Florida's balanced attack. Kamrin Oriol and BJ Plummer supported Jackson with 21 and 13 points, respectively, as the Ospreys' offense clicked on all cylinders.
At halftime, North Florida held a 12-point lead, 48-36, thanks to Jackson's 18 first-half points. The Ospreys continued to pull away in the second half, outscoring the Lions 57-55. North Alabama made a few runs, but North Florida's offense was too much to handle. The Ospreys' ability to score from both inside and outside, combined with their strong rebounding, made it difficult for the Lions to mount a comeback.
The game was a Quad 4 matchup for both teams, with neither North Florida nor North Alabama expected to make a deep postseason run. However, the win is still important for North Florida's resume, as it gives the Ospreys a much-needed victory against a fellow lower-ranked opponent. With a current net ranking of 337, North Florida must string together a few more wins like this to improve their tournament chances.
For North Alabama, the loss drops them to 6-12 on the season, and their net ranking of 338 makes it an uphill climb to become a serious tournament contender. The Lions must regroup and focus on their upcoming conference games if they hope to turn their season around.
In the end, Kent Jackson's incredible performance was the difference-maker in this game. His ability to score, rebound, and distribute the ball made him nearly unguardable, and North Florida's offense flourished as a result. As the season wears on, the Ospreys want to build on this momentum and make a push for a stronger finish. With this win, North Florida takes a small step forward in their quest for a better tournament resume, while North Alabama's loss sets them back in their pursuit of a postseason berth.