FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — Kent Jackson scored a career-high 35 points to propel North Florida to a 105-91 upset victory over North Alabama in ASUN Conference men’s basketball Thursday night at Flowers Hall. The Ospreys, who entered the game with a 2-15 record, never trailed after Jackson’s opening 3-pointer. Jackson, who added five assists, led five North Florida players in double figures. Kamrin Oriol added 21 points and eight assists for the Ospreys. Corneilous Williams scored 28 points for the Lions, and Canin Jefferson added 21. North Florida built a 48-36 halftime lead and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half before an announced crowd of 2,252. The Ospreys improved to 3-15 overall, while North Alabama fell to 6-10.

FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of form and fortune, the North Florida Ospreys snapped a five-game losing streak and secured just their third win of the season in emphatic fashion, outgunning the North Alabama Lions 105-91 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball showdown Thursday night at Flowers Hall. The game was defined by a historic offensive explosion from North Florida guard Kent Jackson. The junior from Jacksonville, Florida, erupted for a career-high 35 points, spearheading an Ospreys attack that shattered expectations and overwhelmed the home team. Jackson, who had averaged just 13 points over his previous three games, was incendiary from the opening tip, connecting on seven 3-pointers and leading a perimeter assault that North Alabama could never adequately answer. The most important part of the game was the opening salvo, which set a decisive tone. North Florida, a team that entered with a 2-15 record and was projected by advanced metrics to have only a 10 percent chance of victory, came out with fearless precision. Jackson buried a 3-pointer on the Ospreys’ first possession and hit another less than two minutes later. By the time he sank his third triple with 15:20 left in the first half, North Florida had raced to a 9-2 lead, forcing North Alabama to play catch-up from the outset. The Lions, favored by 9.5 points, struggled to match the Ospreys’ early energy and shooting touch. Despite dominating the paint behind a powerful 28-point performance from Corneilous Williams, North Alabama could not contain North Florida’s perimeter game. The Ospreys shot a blistering 17 for 37 from beyond the arc, a 45.9 percent clip that consistently stretched the Lions’ defense and created driving lanes. North Florida’s offensive efficiency was staggering. The Ospreys scored 105 points on just 71 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 147.8, a mark of elite execution. They complemented their hot shooting with near-perfect work at the free-throw line, making 18 of 19 attempts. Kamrin Oriol provided a masterful all-around floor game for North Florida, contributing 21 points and eight assists while playing the full 40 minutes. North Alabama, which fell to 6-10, fought to stay within reach throughout. Williams was a force inside, adding 12 offensive rebounds to his point total. Canin Jefferson scored 21 points and Kevin de Kovachich added 19 for the Lions, who outscored North Florida 56-30 in the paint and shot 56.3 percent from the field overall. However, their six made 3-pointers on 16 attempts paled in comparison to the Ospreys’ barrage, and 13-of-20 shooting from the foul line proved costly in a high-scoring affair. The Lions trimmed a 12-point halftime deficit to as few as seven in the second half, but every rally was met with a critical North Florida response, often a 3-pointer from Jackson or Oriol. A de Kovachich 3-pointer brought North Alabama to within 81-74 with 3:27 remaining, but the Ospreys closed the game on a 24-10 run, sealing the victory at the free-throw line where they missed only once all night. The 196 combined points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 158.5, highlighting the unexpected offensive nature of the contest. The announced attendance at Flowers Hall was 2,252. The victory provides a massive momentum boost for North Florida as they prepare to visit Central Arkansas on Saturday. North Alabama looks to regroup quickly, as they host Jacksonville on Saturday.

Preview: North Florida at North Alabama FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — Two ASUN Conference men’s basketball teams on divergent paths will meet Thursday when the struggling North Florida Ospreys visit the North Alabama Lions at Flowers Hall. North Florida (2-15) enters mired in a seven-game losing streak. Its last victory came on Nov. 29 against non-Division I Trinity Baptist. The Ospreys’ most recent outing was an 89-82 home loss to Queens (N.C.) on Saturday. The Ospreys’ primary bright spot has been guard Kamrin Oriol, who has been a prolific scorer during the skid. He is averaging 24.9 points over his last seven games, including a 29-point effort in the loss to Queens. Kent Jackson (16 points) and Mason Lee (9 points, 4 assists) also contributed in that contest. North Alabama (6-9) snapped a three-game slide with an 82-73 road win at Bellarmine on Saturday. The Lions were powered by a dominant performance from forward Corneilous Williams, who posted 20 points and 15 rebounds. Dallas Howell added a team-high 24 points. Williams’ production has been volatile; he followed the Bellarmine double-double with a 3-point outing in a loss at Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 8. His matchup inside will be a key factor against a North Florida team allowing 90.3 points per game during its losing streak. The Lions have shown resilience at home, with notable non-conference wins over San Francisco and Jacksonville State in Florence earlier this season. This marks the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs this season. They are set to meet again in Jacksonville on Feb. 14. For North Florida, the game opens a two-game road swing before returning home. North Alabama will host Jacksonville on Saturday in its next contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST Thursday.