Box Score (.pdf)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Playing on the road for the third consecutive game, the Wofford women’s basketball team was unable to get in the win column as they fell to North Florida 71-60 in Jacksonville, Fla. on Sunday afternoon. The Terriers led at the halftime break 26-23, but North Florida shot 51.3 percent in the second half to pick up its first win of the season. With the loss Wofford is now 0-4 on the season while North Florida improves to 1-3.
The Terriers fell behind early by nine 15-6 after North Florida opened the game with a 12-4 run. At the 10:50 mark, a three pointer by Maddie Helms sparked the Wofford offense that resulted in a nine point run to tie the game at 15 with 7:59 to play. Mahagony Williams added four points in the run while Kelly Dwyer provided the other two.
Wofford took the lead at the 7:38 mark on a jumper by Dwyer. The Ospreys responded with a triple to regain the lead on the next possession. Wofford went back in front at the 6:22 mark on a bucket by Natalie Gramblin and continued to lead for the remainder of the half taking a 26-23 edge into the break.
Wofford shot 39.3 percent from the floor while the Terrier defense held North Florida to 29.3 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in the opening half.
The opening seven minutes of the second half went back and forth with the score ultimately being tied at 40 with 13:07 left to play. North Florida then went on an eleven point run over the next 2 minutes to take a 51-40 advantage. Wofford ended the run at the 10:01 mark on a Summer Nichols free throw. North Florida would continue to build on its lead shooting lights out going up by as many as 17 points with less than five minutes to play. The Terriers continued to battle and got the deficit to nine with 44 second left to play, but the Ospreys iced the game at the foul line on free throws by Kim Baker.
Wofford shot 41.7 percent from the field, 30 percent from behind the arc and 51.7 percent from the line. The Ospreys shot 40.3 percent for the game from the field, 31.3 percent from three and 60 percent from the foul line.
Mahagony Williams picked up here second double-double of the season to lead the Terriers with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Nichols added eight points and six rebounds while Kathlyn Varno came off the bench and added eight points. Jennifer Bowen paced the Ospreys with 13 points and ten rebounds.
Wofford returns to the friendly confines of the Benjamin Johnson arena for two games this week. The Terriers host Gardner-Webb on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and welcome Southern Conference newcomer Samford on Thursday night at 6 p.m. for the conference opener for both teams.