Sams scores 28, North Florida beats NJIT in ASUN tourney
NEWARK, N.J. -- Garrett Sam finished with career-high 28 points and North Florida held on for an 80-76 win over NJIT in the first round of the ASUN Tournament on Monday night.
No. 5 seed North Florida (14-18) will play top-seeded Florida Gulf Coast in the semifinals on Thursday.
The Ospreys scored the first 13 points, including eight by Sams, and Noah Horchler's 3-pointer pushed the lead to 47-21 with 18 minutes to play. No. 4 seed NJIT (14-16) answered with an 11-0 run before a 13-1 spurt trimmed its deficit to nine points midway through the half.
Shyquan Gibbs hit two free throws, the last of nine straight Highlander points, to pull within 62-58 about five minutes later and then scored the first six points in a 9-0 run that made it one-point game with 19 seconds to go. Sams made 4 of 4 free throws from there to seal it.
San Antonio Brinson led the Highlanders with 15 points, Donovan Greer scored 14 and Gibbs added 13.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Patrick Evans
- Jose Carrion
- Art Vaulk
2023-24 ASUN Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Kentucky | 12-4 | - | 17-14 |
Stetson | 11-5 | 1 | 22-13 |
Lipscomb | 11-5 | 1 | 20-12 |
Austin Peay | 10-6 | 2 | 19-16 |
North Florida | 9-7 | 3 | 16-16 |
North Alabama | 8-8 | 4 | 15-17 |
Florida Gulf Coast | 8-8 | 4 | 14-18 |
Queens University | 7-9 | 5 | 14-19 |
Kennesaw State | 6-10 | 6 | 15-16 |
Jacksonville | 5-11 | 7 | 16-17 |
Central Arkansas | 5-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
Bellarmine | 4-12 | 8 | 8-23 |
2023-24 America East Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Vermont | 15-1 | - | 28-7 |
UMass Lowell | 11-5 | 4 | 22-10 |
Bryant | 11-5 | 4 | 20-13 |
New Hampshire | 7-9 | 8 | 16-15 |
Binghamton | 7-9 | 8 | 15-15 |
Maine | 7-9 | 8 | 15-17 |
UMBC | 6-10 | 9 | 11-21 |
UAlbany | 5-11 | 10 | 13-19 |
NJIT | 3-13 | 12 | 7-21 |