Box Score SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Savannah State Tigers lost their fifth consecutive game after a 65-61 setback to North Florida in a game played at Tiger Arena.
 
One major factor in the outcome was free throw shooting.
 
SSU made 10 of 18 free throw attempts for the game but only shot 36.4 percent (4 for 11) in the second half. The Ospreys finished the game making 15 of 18 attempts.
 
Savannah State trailed by 10 at intermission but battled their way back into the contest by starting the second period with a 9-2 run.
 
UNF led 44-37 with 13:26 on the clock but the Tigers strung together a 7-2 spurt to slice their deficit to 46-44 with 8:51 remaining.
 
North Florida ran their lead back to seven (61-54) with 3:29 left but the Tigers answered with a 3-pointer by Keierre Richards followed by a layup by Terel Hall to make the score 61-59.
 
The Ospreys didn't make any field goals during the final three and a half minutes but converted four of five free throw attempts to seal the victory.
 
Trailing 64-61, SSU's Joshua Montgomery attempted to tie the game with seven seconds left but his shot missed.
 
UNF got the rebound, was fouled and made one of two free throw attempts.
 
Hikeem Champaigne led the Tigers (2-7) with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Montgomery added 11 points and Jeremiah Hill chipped in 10. Jyles Smith had 8 rebounds for SSU and 4 blocks. Richards and Hall dished out 4 assists each.
 
Despite the loss, the Tigers out-rebounded UNF 32 to 28.
 
The crowd of 630 saw North Florida shoot 53.6 percent from the floor in the first half.
 
With the score tied at eight, the Ospreys went on a 16-5 run to go ahead by 11 with eight minutes left in the half.
 
SSU rallied back and a 3-pointer by Montgomery trimmed North Florida's lead to 27-26 with 3:29 remaining.
 
The Ospreys finished the period with a 9-0 run to take a 10 point lead into the locker room.
 
UNF (4-3) was led by Dallas Moore's 18 points.