FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 3, 2007) - Nova Southeastern (3-9, 2-0 SSC) defeated Florida Southern (5-7, 0-2 SSC) by a score of 68-57 on Wednesday night on the strength of 32 points in the paint and 31 points off of turnovers.

In the first half, the Sharks jumped out to a 25-9 lead. The opening run was capped by a three-pointer by guard Mechelle Jones (Sr., Rockledge, Fla.) and a layup by forward Jennifer Havens (Sr., Ontario, Ore.), who scored eight of her 10 total points in the opening frame.

Additionally, the Sharks outscored the Moccasins in the paint in the first half by a score of 16-4. Overall, NSU got a good defensive team effort, holding the Mocs to 25 percent shooting from the field on six of 24 field goals.

After NSU took a 32-16 lead into the locker room at halftime, Florida Southern outscored the Sharks 41-36 in the second half. Mocs forward Willamina Folks scored 12 of her 18 total points in the half.

The Mocs could only shorten the Shark lead to eight however, eventually losing by 11.

For the game, swingman Eliza Allen (So., Hegenheim, France) led the Sharks with 16 points and five rebounds while guard Tia Evenson (Jr., Neodesha, Kan.) finished with 14 points and five assists. Point guard Ashley Wilson (Jr., Coral Springs, Fla.) would also finish with eight points and six rebounds. NSU amassed 12 steals, four by swingman Amber Bishko (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) and forced 31 Moccasin turnovers.

Folks would finish as the leading scorer with 18 points to go along with 12 boards.

NSU will be back in action on Saturday, January 6 as they travel to Winter Park, Fla. to face the Rollins College Tars, the defending Sunshine State Conference regular season champions, at 2pm. Fans can listen to the game on the NSU Athletics Audiocast Network.