JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Eni Cuka scored 27 points and North Florida defeated Florida Gulf Coast 69-59 on Thursday night, setting a school record for wins at the Division I level while beating the Eagles for the first time in series history.
The Ospreys (7-20, 5-12 Atlantic Sun Conference), playing their fourth season in Division I, also got 15 points and eight rebounds from Stan Januska and 10 points from Kyle Groothuis.
North Florida led by as many as 11 points in the first half. The Eagles pulled within 35-31 at the break, but could get no closer than four.
Leading 49-43 with 12:44 left, the Ospreys used a 15-2 run to pull away.
The schools' previous three contests were decided by six points or fewer, with Florida Gulf Coast winning 50-44 on Jan. 23 to take a 6-0 series edge.
Derrick O'Neil scored seven of the Eagles' last 10 points to finish with 15.
