FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Destinee Smith converted on a huge three-point play in the final 2.9 seconds to lift University of North Florida women's basketball to a 57-55 win over Mercer on Thursday afternoon at UNF Arena.
"It's a typical Mercer game; you know you are in a dogfight for 40 minutes," said head coach Mary Tappmeyer.
With UNF trailing 55-54, Flo Ward in-bounded the ball to Smith, who hit a long-range jumper and was fouled in the process. Smith then made the free throw in order to put the Ospreys up by two.
Mercer had a chance at the end as Precious Bridges' long-range three-pointer hit the front of the rim. Smith, Bailey Florin and Janeá Williams each tallied 12 points. Janeá Williams, who was 5-for-9 from the floor, also added two blocks.
Paulina Zaveckaite pulled down nine rebounds, while Brittney Wright dished out four assists and had no turnovers.
"We did a really nice job of finding Janeá and she made some really tough shots," said Tappmeyer.
UNF shot 41.8 percent (23-for-55) from the floor and held a slim 40-39 rebounding advantage.
Kahlia Lawrence scored a game-high 15 points, while Bridges tallied 13. Lawrence, Bridges and Alex Williams each had seven rebounds. Mercer was 23-for-65 from the field and shot 35.4 percent.
UNF finishes the non-conference portion of its schedule on Tuesday when the Ospreys host UMKC at UNF Arena.
The game is part of a doubleheader with UNF's men's basketball team. Tip-off for the women's game is set for 4:30 p.m.