EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — In an exciting matchup on Friday night, North Florida edged past SIU-Edwardsville with a close score of 78-73, thanks to a standout performance from Josh Harris, who contributed 20 points to the victory.

Harris also secured nine rebounds, showcasing his strong presence on both ends of the court for the Ospreys, who improved their record to 5-2 with this win.

Nate Lliteras also made a significant impact for North Florida, scoring 13 points with an effective shooting performance, going 3 for 9 overall, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc, and 5 of 10 from the charity stripe. He rounded out his contributions with seven rebounds.

Liam Murphy added another 12 points for the Ospreys, hitting 4 of 10 shots from the field, including three 3-pointers on nine attempts.

On the other side, Desmond Polk was the leading scorer for SIU-Edwardsville, netting 19 points.

His teammate, Ring Malith, contributed 13 points, alongside eight rebounds and two blocks, demonstrating his defensive capabilities.

Brian Taylor II also made his mark with 13 points and an impressive nine assists, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory for the Cougars, who now sit at 5-4 on the season.

This thrilling contest highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams as they continue their respective campaigns.