North Florida Ospreys @ NJIT Highlanders
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
Newark, NJ
Referee:Patrick Evans
Referee:Jose Carrion
Referee:Art Vaulk
2025-26 Standings
| ASUN ConferenceASUN Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay | 15-3 | - | 21-8 |
| Central Arkansas | 15-3 | - | 20-11 |
| Queens University | 13-5 | 2 | 18-13 |
| Lipscomb | 12-6 | 3 | 19-12 |
| West Georgia | 8-10 | 7 | 14-16 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | 8-10 | 7 | 14-17 |
| Bellarmine | 7-11 | 8 | 12-18 |
| Jacksonville | 7-11 | 8 | 12-19 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 7-11 | 8 | 11-20 |
| Stetson | 7-11 | 8 | 11-20 |
| North Florida | 5-13 | 10 | 7-24 |
| North Alabama | 4-14 | 11 | 9-20 |
| America East ConferenceAmerica East Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBC | 14-2 | - | 21-8 |
| Vermont | 12-4 | 2 | 20-11 |
| NJIT | 10-6 | 4 | 15-16 |
| UMass Lowell | 9-7 | 5 | 14-17 |
| UAlbany | 7-9 | 7 | 11-20 |
| Maine | 6-10 | 8 | 8-23 |
| New Hampshire | 5-11 | 9 | 9-20 |
| Bryant | 5-11 | 9 | 9-21 |
| Binghamton | 4-12 | 10 | 8-23 |
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