JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's a day most students at UNF, alumni or current, will never forget - the day the Osprey Men's Basketball Team put their dancing shoes on for the first time.
In front of the first sellout crowd (6,155) in UNF arena history the Ospreys punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament with a 63-57 win over USC-Upstate Sunday afternoon.
DeMarcus Daniels led the Ospreys with 22 points, Jalen Nesbitt chipped in 16 and Dallas Moore added 13. Students at the game were ecstatic.
"We knew this team could do great things. They had a really good solid team," said Steven Virden, a UNF student. "We were expecting s lot and they came through. We did our part and supported them everyday."
"I feel like our program is about to change, our school is about to change, it's going to increase school spirit, everything is about to change for this, it's a turning point for this school," said Cavario Jackson. "It was the best feeling I've had over the last four to five years."
Students say this win is a huge achievement not only for the team but for the school as well.
"It means our school is getting recognized which is awesome," said Korin Brickman. "Our school is a very small school, but now hat we've won the championship that we're getting known."
It will be the Ospreys first appearance in the big dance. The Ospreys (23-11) have won 10 in a row since losing to Upstate on January 31. They will find out where and when they play next Sunday.