Evbagharu nets 23 points as Central Arkansas triumphs over North Florida 84-83 in overtime

In a thrilling overtime matchup on Saturday night, Central Arkansas edged out North Florida with a score of 84-83, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of Michael Evbagharu, who scored 23 points.

Evbagharu also made significant contributions on the boards with 10 rebounds, along with six assists and three steals, leading his team to victory. The Bears improved their record to 7-20 overall and 3-11 in the Atlantic Sun Conference as they fought hard for this win.

Supporting him was Cole McCormick, who added 19 points to the total. McCormick showcased his shooting skills, hitting 5 of 9 attempts from the field, which included some long-range shots, making 3 out of 6 from beyond the arc. He also excelled at the line, converting 6 of 7 free-throw attempts. Additionally, Nehemiah Turner contributed 17 points, demonstrating efficiency with 5 of 11 shooting from the floor and a perfect 7 for 7 from the charity stripe.

For North Florida, the standout performance came from Nate Lliteras, who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, along with two steals and three blocks to aid his team’s efforts. The Ospreys, who now hold a record of 13-14 overall and 6-8 in conference play, also saw contributions from Kamrin Oriol with 18 points and Liam Murphy, who added 14 points along with four assists and two steals.

Both teams showcased competitive spirit and resilience, making for an exciting game that ended in a narrow victory for the Bears.