Gardner-Webb 75, North Florida 61

1/31/2008 8:59 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Thomas Sanders scored 24 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Gardner-Webb to a 75-61 win over North Florida in an Atlantic Sun Conference game Thursday.

Sanders' effort marked the 13th time this year that he's notched a double-double and the third time in his last four games. He connected on 8-of-14 shots and added seven free throws for his game-high total of 24.

Gardner-Webb trailed 23-19 with six minutes left in the first half but held North Florida to one point the rest of the half while scoring nine for a 28-24 halftime lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (10-12, 4-4) increased their lead to 37-30 in the first four minutes of the second half, then scored 10 consecutive points to open up a 17-point advantage at 50-33. They maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

North Florida shot well from the field, hitting 54 percent in the game, but was 13-of-33 from the free throw line, including just 1-of-11 in the first half.

The Ospreys lost their 17th consecutive game as they dropped to 1-19 for the season, 0-8 in league play.

Tom Hammonds, DeVon Jones and Chris Timberlake all scored 12 points to lead North Florida.