JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A last-second jumper by Kamrin Oriol secured an 87-85 victory for the University of North Florida over Eastern Kentucky University on Thursday.
A Back-and-Forth Contest
The Colonels demonstrated resilience, erasing a 6-point deficit to tie the game before Oriol’s decisive shot. Oriol’s layup with 3:30 remaining gave UNF an 82-76 lead, but EKU responded with points from Montavious Myrick and Juan Cranford Jr., narrowing the gap to one point.
The lead changed hands several times in the final minutes. Oriol extended UNF’s advantage to four, 85-81, but freshman MJ Williams scored two consecutive baskets for EKU, tying the game at 85-85 with 45.5 seconds left.
Oriol led all scorers with 32 points, while Myrick paced the Colonels with 19 points and six rebounds. Despite North Florida’s struggles with rebounding throughout the season, the Ospreys won the battle of the boards 38-34.
Shooting Disparities and EKU’s Fight
EKU shot 49% from the field overall, compared to UNF’s 51%. However, the Colonels’ 3-point shooting cooled off significantly in the second half, going 3-for-11 after making 9 of 17 attempts in the first half. UNF twice built 9-point leads in the second half, but EKU responded each time with determined runs.
EKU (7-13, 3-4 ASUN) will conclude their road trip on Saturday with a game against Jacksonville University at 3 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The University of North Florida defeated Eastern Kentucky University 87-85.
Who led the scoring for each team?
Kamrin Oriol led North Florida with 32 points, while Montavious Myrick led Eastern Kentucky with 19 points.
When and where is EKU’s next game?
EKU will play Jacksonville University on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
Given the close nature of Thursday’s game, how crucial will consistent shooting be for EKU as they face Jacksonville?