Beech leads North Florida past Jacksonville 79-74

Feb 14, 2014, 09:31 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Beau Beech had 21 points, made five 3-pointers and scored the decisive points Friday night in North Florida's 79-74 victory over Jacksonville.

Beech hit a 3-pointer to give North Florida the lead for good at 73-72 with 2:46 left. UNF got a key stop at the other end as Javon Dawson's layup rolled off the rim for Jacksonville. Beech then made 2 of 3 free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt to extend the Ospreys lead to 75-72.

Jalen Nesbitt made all four of his free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the win.

Dallas Moore and Nesbitt each scored 11, and Charles McRoy added 10 for UNF (14-13, 8-6 Atlantic Sun).

Jacksonville trailed by 12 early in the second half, but rallied back and led 72-70 before Beech's five-point run.

Vince Martin and J.R. Holder had 16 points apiece for Jacksonville (9-16, 5-9).