The University of North Florida women’s basketball team (10-15, 4-10 PBC) dropped its second consecutive Peach Belt Conference game, 55-48 Saturday, Feb. 19, against the University of South Carolina Aiken at the UNF Arena.

The loss gives UNF its record-tying 10th loss in the PBC and its 15th loss of the season after starting 5-0.

“We haven’t had any consistency all year, and it’s starting to show up,” coach Mary Tappmeyer said.

The Ospreys went into the half down 24-17, after shooting 25 percent in the opening 20 minutes. With a late second-half surge, UNF was able to pull the score within five points twice, but could never gain the lead. Back-to-back layups by junior Kim Smith and senior Brittney Davis brought the score to 38-34 with six minutes remaining. But, that’s all the offense UNF could muster. Davis led the team with 15 points, while sophomore Tamara Hubbard came off the bench to score 13. The Ospreys managed to hit 2-14 shots from beyond the three-point arc and 18-56 from field goal range.

Earlier in the week, UNF fell to Clayton College and State University 51-46 after holding a five-point second-half lead. Missing from the Osprey line-up were junior forward Alana Mountfield and senior center Chelsea Headley, who were both out with injuries. Davis led the Ospreys offensively, scoring 10 points and pulling down five rebounds, while senior guard Jamala Mitchell had a team-high six rebounds. Junior Karli Knudsen had a game-high eight assists and gave UNF an early 6-2 lead after knocking down a three-pointer and a free throw. UNF committed 17 first-half turnovers and allowed Clayton College back into the game giving them a 17-7 run in the last 12 minutes of play.

“We didn’t play intensely,” Hubbard said. “The defensive intensity was there but it’s not up to par. Even though we held the highest scoring team in the conference below their average but we still messed up on the offensive end.”

UNF plays its final home game of the season Wednesday, Feb. 23, against Armstrong Atlantic State University on Senior Night as part of a men’s/women’s doubleheader. Tip-off for the women’s game is 5:30 p.m.

Contact Kristian Martin at uspinnak@unf.edu.