SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-half surge, the Wofford Terriers outlasted the North Florida Ospreys 86 to 78 in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.

A crowd of 1,738 watched as the Terriers, who trailed by a single point at halftime, erupted for 52 points after the break to pull away for the victory. The win improved Wofford’s record to 3-2 on the young season, while North Florida fell to 1-3.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, featuring eight lead changes and five ties. North Florida’s offense was fueled by its perimeter shooting, connecting on 8 of 18 three-point attempts before halftime. Kamrin Oriol was instrumental in building the Ospreys’ narrow lead, scoring 12 of his team-high 22 points in the opening period. The Ospreys took a 35-34 advantage into the locker room.

The game’s complexion changed dramatically in the second half. Wofford abandoned its own struggling three-point game and began relentlessly attacking the paint. The Terriers outscored North Florida 50 to 28 in the paint for the game, with the majority of that damage coming after halftime. This interior dominance was coupled with a disruptive defensive effort that converted North Florida turnovers into easy scoring opportunities; Wofford scored 19 points off 11 Osprey turnovers, compared to just 7 points the other way.

The Terriers seized control with a 13-4 run early in the second half, turning a two-point deficit into a seven-point lead they would not relinquish. North Florida stayed within striking distance thanks to its three-point shooting, finishing the game 14 of 33 from beyond the arc, but could never string together enough stops to mount a sustained comeback.

Wofford’s offensive efficiency was the story of the night. Despite making only 6 of 25 three-point attempts, the Terriers shot 50.8 percent from the floor overall, aided by a plethora of high-percentage looks near the basket. They also attempted 25 free throws, making 16, while North Florida went to the line only 8 times. Wofford also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 12 rebounds to North Florida’s 4, which led to 15 second-chance points.

Kahmare Holmes led all scorers and was the engine for Wofford’s victory. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native scored 21 points, including several key baskets during the team’s second-half run, and added 2 blocks and 2 steals in 29 minutes of action. His backcourt mate, Chace Watley of Minneapolis, provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 16 points on efficient 8-for-12 shooting.

For North Florida, Oriol’s 22 points led the way, with St. Petersburg native also contributing 3 assists. BJ Plummer, from Tallahassee, provided a significant offensive lift off the bench, scoring 16 points, all in the second half, and knocking down 4 three-pointers. Mason Lee of Jacksonville Beach added 13 points and 4 assists.

The Ospreys will look to rebound on the road Saturday against Southern Mississippi in Pensacola, Florida. The Terriers return to action at home Friday against Erskine.