Friday, February 15, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Ben Smith scored 13 of JU's 18 points in overtime to lead the Dolphins back from a four-point deficit to beat UNF on Friday night in the SunTrust River City Rumble, 76-70, at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Smith finished the game with a game-high 25 points, going 6-of-14 from the floor, including four 3- pointers to go along with two assists.

He led three Dolphins (13-11, 9-3 A-Sun) in double figures, joined by freshmen Szymon Lukasiak with 12 and Travis Cohn 11.

The Dolphins led by eight, 58-50, with 4:24 remaining. The Ospreys scored the last eight points in regulation and the first in overtime before Smith's heroics.

"Ben stepped up and made some plays for us when we needed it tonight," said JU head coach Cliff Warren. "We got away from attacking in the final few minuets and UNF made us pay. We got back to attacking in the overtime and that was what guided us to the win."

UNF (2-23, 0-12 A-Sun) had four players finish in double figures, with Germaine Sparkes leading the way with 15. Stan Januska had 14, with Cortez Riley adding 11 and Tom Hammonds chipping in with 10.

Trailing by eight, the Ospreys scored the final eight points of regulation to force overtime. Riley drove through the Dolphin defense for the game tying layup with 2.3 seconds remaining.