EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Four SIUE players scored in double figures, led by Desmond Polk's career-high 19 points, but it came in a losing effort as North Florida outlasted SIUE 78-73 Friday night at First Community Arena.

SIUE dipped to 5-4 with the loss. UNF improved to 5-2.

The teams traded blows in the first half, with both enjoying a 10-0 run in the period. It was 17-16 SIUE after Josh Harris hit a three for the Ospreys, before the Cougars ripped off the next 10 points. It was part of an overall 16-2 run by SIUE.

A Darrion Baker three pointer gave SIUE a 30-19 advantage at 8:33. The Cougars matched the lead after two free throws by Ray'Sean Taylor made it 34-23 at which point, UNF went on its own 10-0 run.

SIUE relinquished its lead after two free throws from Kamrin Oriol made it 42-41 North Florida with 15 second left before half.

Polk knocked down a corner three at the halftime buzzer to put SIUE up 44-42.

UNF took the lead back just a minute into the second half, but the advantage changed hands four times in the first five minutes of the second half.

Oriol sank another three-pointer with 12:47 to play to break a 54-all tie and the Ospreys never trailed in the game again. UNF pushed its lead to as many as nine (73-64) with 1:43 to play and the Cougars trimmed it back to five on several occasions.

Polk led the SIUE charge, shooting 8-15 from the field. Ring Malith and Brian Taylor II each scored 13 points. Malith added eight rebounds while Taylor added a career-high nine assists. Baker added 11 points including a pair of three-pointers.

SIUE connected on just 39 percent (28-72) of its shots after shooting 46 percent (17-37) in the first half. The Cougars were 7-23 from three-point range and 10-16 at the foul line.

UNF buried 14 of 37 (26 percent) and shot 42 percent (27-65) overall. Five players scored in double figures led by Josh Harris' 20 points. He was 9-11 from the field. He added nine rebounds. Jasai Miles scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

SIUE outrebounded North Florida 48-44 and the Cougars finished with 20 assists and just 12 turnovers.

SIUE will welcome Ball State to Edwardsville December 8.