Men’s Basketball Stuns South Carolina, Earns First SEC Win

North Florida men's basketball wasted no time making headlines in 2024-25 as the Ospreys (1-0), went into South Carolina and stunned the Gamecocks (0-1), 74-71, to earn the program's first-ever win against an SEC program. It was also UNF's third win against a Power Four team all-time and first since defeating Illinois, 93-81, in Champaign, Ill., Nov. 13, 2015. UNF outscored South Carolina, 15-7, down the stretch, overcoming a five-point deficit after the final media timeout.

North Florida had four with double-digit points, paced by Jaylen Smith's 16 on 6-for-13 shooting. Liam Murphy impressed in his UNF debut, notching 14 points off the bench, while Jasai Miles was one rebound short of a double-double.

Down 64-61 with 1:49 to go, Kamrin Oriol drained a game-tying three from the top of the key. South Carolina replied with a go-ahead layup, but Miles punched back with a go-ahead trey seconds later. UNF never gave up the lead, hitting free throws while getting a stop to seal the deal.

UNF's only other meeting against South Carolina was in the season opener 2014-15, the same year North Florida went on to win the league title.

Read more about the game, including a By The Numbers.

Cheer on men's basketball Thursday, Nov. 7, as they take on Charleston Southern in the UNF Arena. Get tickets now and view other upcoming Athletic events.