NORFOLK, Va. -- The Spartans are coming off a week in which they went 1-1, against some solid competition in High Point and La Salle at home in Echols Hall. The Spartans look to gain some momentum on the road this weekend, at the JU Thanksgiving Classic in Jacksonsville, Fla. NSU will face North Florida on Friday at 12 p.m., and Jacksonville on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Chanette Hicks continues to pace the Spartans in scoring, with three straight games with at least 20 points. Hicks leads the team averaging 20.6 points per game, leading the MEAC in that category. Hicks also leads the team with 6.4 assists per game, which is also ranked first in the conference. Hicks leads the MEAC with 4.4 steals per game, boosting that figure with another six steals against La Salle.

After averaging 10 points per game in her first two outings, La'Deja James has averaged 18 ppg in her last three contests. James now ranks sixth in the MEAC averaging 14.8 points per game, giving the Spartans two of the top six scorers in the MEAC so far this season.

Blaire Thomas has been feeding on the glass for NSU, leading the team with seven rebounds per game. She ranks ninth in the conference in rebounds per game.

The Spartans beat High Point 72-58 on Wednesday, in a game they closed well by hitting their free throws in clutch time. The Spartans had a tough time closing out the Explorers of La Salle on Friday, in a 55-52 loss that saw NSU give up an eight point lead following an 11-0 La Salle run with 4:35 remaining in the game.

Series History vs. North Florida
This will be the second overall matchup against UNF, and the first time during head coach Larry Vicker's tenure. NSU is 0-1 all time versus the Ospreys, and 0-0 under Vickers.

Last Meeting vs. North Florida
The last meeting between these two teams was back in the 2007-08 season, with the Ospreys taking a 66-40 win over the Spartans.

Series History vs. Jacksonville
This will be the third overall matchup against the Dolphins, and the first time during head coach Larry Vicker's tenure. NSU is 1-0 all time versus Jacksonville, and 0-0 under Vickers.

Last Meeting vs. Jacksonville
The last meeting between these teams was back in the 2005-06 season, with the Spartans coming away with a 79-68 victory.

NSU By the Numbers
72. 8 - Number of points the Spartans have averaged so far this season, ranking third in the MEAC.

2 - NSU has two players currently ranked in the top six of the MEAC in points per game.
(Chanette Hicks - 20.6 ppg & Le'Deja James - 14.8)

+12.2  - NSU's scoring margin so far this season, which ranks second in the conference.

14.4 - The number of assists the Spartans are averaging this season, ranked second in the MEAC.

13.8 - The number of steals the Spartans are averaging per game, first in the conference. 

7.0 - The number of rebounds Blaire Thomas averages per game, first on the team an ninth in the MEAC.

A Win over UNF Would...
Get the Spartans back to a .500% winning percentage.

Be the Spartans' first ever victory over the Ospreys.

Scouting The Ospreys
UNF has three players scoring in double-figures so far this season. Janesha Green leads the way with 14.9 ppg, as well as leading the team with 13 steals so far this season.  The other two players averaging double-figures are Jazz Bond and Tiffany Tolbert.

Bond also ranks second in rebounds per game for UNF, with 7.7 rebounds per game. Only Adrienne Jackson has more rpg for the Ospreys, with eight rebounds per game. 

Scouting the Dolphins
Destiny Marshall leads JU as the only player scoring in double-figures, scoring 13.5 points per game.

Jada Perry is second on the Dolphins with 9.7 points per game, but also leads the team in rebounds with 6.8 rpg.

Media Coverage
Fans can follow the live stats for Friday's game against UNF here. Saturday's live stats can be found here, and the game will be aired on ESPN+. 

Tournament Info
More information about the JU Thanksgiving Classic can be found here. 
 

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