JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Jalen Nesbitt pumped in a career-high 26 points as North Florida cruised past Northern Kentucky, 88-69 Saturday to remain a game back of Atlantic Sun Conference leader Florida Gulf Coast.
The Ospreys (18-11, 10-2) led by five at intermission, but poured it on in the second half to finish in a rout. North Florida got to the basket for 10 second-half layups and outscored the Norse 53-39.
Nesbitt was 7 of 11 from the field and 9 of 12 from the free throw line. Demarcus Daniels added 15 points and grabbed seven boards, Dallas Moore scored 13 points and had five assists and Beau Beech scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished off four assists for North Florida, which already clinched a berth in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Chad Jackson had 18 points to lead Northern Kentucky (11-16, 5-7).
