DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Adrien Coleman double-doubled for the second straight game, but Bethune-Cookman dropped a 71-65 decision to North Florida in its home opener Tuesday in historic Moore Gymnasium.
Coleman finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the Wildcats (2-5) were outshot by North Florida (2-4) by a 51 percent to 36.8 percent margin.
UNF's Parker Smith knocked down six three-pointers and finished with 22 points on 8-11 shooting to lead the Ospreys.
B-CU cut down a 14-point first-half deficit to a 32-26 halftime deficit, but UNF used a 9-3 run at the outset of the second half to take control. UNF's biggest lead was at 66-49 on two David Jeune free throws with 3:47 to play.
Kevin Dukes (16 points) hit two three-pointers in the final 24 seconds to close the margin to six. The senior had four three-pointers in the game.
Paul Scotland added 11 points, while Javoris Bryant registered eight points and four rebounds in his first action of the season.
B-CU opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday at Florida A&M.
HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG
"They were just tougher than us. That's the bottom line."
"We concetrated on the shooter (Smith) in the second half and then the inside guys beat us."
NOTES: Coleman went to the free throw a career-high 18 times, making 11 ... Dukes extended his streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer to 27.
