JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Emanuel Littles and Mervin James combined for 37 points and 24 rebounds to lead North Alabama to a 68-60 win over North Florida Thursday in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. The first-ever Division I postseason win by the UNA men gives the team a 12-10 record and sets up a semifinal matchup with FGCU on Friday.

Against No. 4 North Florida, the fifth-seeded Lions used a dominating performance on the glass as well as in the paint. UNA held a commanding 48-30 rebounding advantage. Both Littles and James recorded double-doubles, frequently driving to the lane and connecting on mid-range jumpers.

North Alabama never trailed in the first half. An inside move by Littles gave UNA an early 23-17 lead. The Ospreys, however, stayed within striking distance. UNF converted a turnover into a basket to tie the score at 27-27with 1:30 remaining. Neither team scored down the stretch sending both teams to the break in a deadlock.

A putback on the opening possession of the second half gave North Florida its first lead of the game at 29-27. Littles answered with a jumper to tie the score before the Ospreys reeled of six straight points to grab their largest lead of the game.

Trailing 35-29 at the 17:08 mark, UNA got back in the game with a 7-0 run of its own. James connected on a basket and free throw to complete a three-point play. C.J. Brim then hit two free throws before another jumper by James gave the Lions a 36-35 lead.

The two teams traded leads before a UNF three-point basket gave the Ospreys a 46-45 lead with 8:19 remaining. It was the first trey of the game for North Florida after missing its first 12 shots from long range. UNF finished the game 5-of-26 on three-point attempts.

After the three-pointer, UNF would not connect from the floor for 6:57 while Littles connected in the paint on three straight possessions to give the Lions a 51-46 lead. Two free throws by the Ospreys cut the lead to three before UNA added another basket by Littles and a three-point play by Jamari Blackmon to go ahead 56-48 with 2:19 to play.

North Florida added three more treys in the final 1:22, but the Lions went 10-for-12 from the free throw line to seal the win.

Littles tied a career-high with 20 points and recorded his ASUN-leading nineth double-double of the season with 13 rebounds. The junior from Lanett was 9-of-11 from the floor.

James added 17 points and 11 rebounds on the day for his sixth double-double. Jose Placer led North Florida (8-15) with 15 points.

The semi-final matchup between UNA and FGCU will take place at 6 p.m. (CST). The sixth-seeded Eagles upset No. 3 Lipscomb. No. 7 Stetson also upset No. 2 Bellarmine and will face top-seeded Liberty in the other semi-final at 1 p.m. Both semi-final games will take place at UNF Arena in Jacksonville.