JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Haugabrook scored 20 points and North Florida held off a late rally to defeat Florida Gulf Coast 81-74 in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for both teams on Thursday night.
Haugabrook was 8 for 11 from the field for the Ospreys (4-3), who shot 52.7 percent (29 of 55) to win for the fourth time in five games.
North Florida led throughout the second half, holding a 52-32 advantage with 15:47 remaining, but FGCU (2-4) rallied to cut the margin to 74-72 on Marlon Rivera’s layup with 37 seconds to play.
The Ospreys stopped the comeback with five consecutive points. Parker Smith’s two free throws gave them a 79-72 lead with 12 seconds left.
