FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 12, 2008) - NSU center Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.) scored 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds and reserve guard LaShawnna Edwards (So., North Miami Beach, Fla.) scored a career-high 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 6-of-6 free throw shooting as the Nova Southeastern Sharks (9-5, 2-1 SSC) defeated the Eckerd Tritons (9-5, 0-4) by a score of 86-74 on Saturday evening at the University Center Arena.

In the first half, layups by Eckerd's Ashley Lutz and Laticia Rolle gave the Tritons a 4-0 lead but it would be the only lead of the night for EC. A conventional three-point play converted by Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) sparked the Sharks on a 31-14 run. Javiera Novion hit a three to pull the Tritons to within seven with 39 seconds left in the half but Christine Haber (Sr., Libertyville, Ill.) made a basket with 18 seconds remaining to send NSU into the locker room ahead 39-30.

While both teams shot well from the field, the Sharks shot a blistering 60.9 percent from the field in the first stanza and 10-11 at the free throw line. Sarosi and Edwards scored 11 and 10 points, respectively in the half while Sarosi swatted five shots.

In the second half, Eckerd cut the Sharks lead to 57-54 following a pair of free throws by Olivia Nagle with 10:34 remaining in the half but the Sharks would follow with a 21-9 run, started by an Edwards layup and capped by a pair of free throws from Eliza Allen (Jr., Hegenheim, France) to make it 80-65 with 2:51 remaining.

For the game, NSU shot 57.7 percent from the field on 30-of-52 attempts while Eckerd shot 43.8 percent. The most decisive statistic was NSUs sharp free throw shooting, going 21-of-22 at the charity stripe while the Tritons went 10-for-16. Eckerd outrebounded the Sharks 33-31 and outscored NSU 40-34 in the paint.

In addition to Sarosi and Edward's efforts, Allen scored 17 points while making all seven of her free throws while Tepe added 10 points. While the Sharks had four scorers in double figures, the Tritons had three. Lutz led all scorers with 26 points while Nagle added 14 points and 11 boards. Novion also scored 19 points.

NSU will return to action on Wednesday, January 16 as it travels to Winter Park, Fla. to take on the defending SSC regular season champion Rollins Tars at 5:30pm. The game can be heard live on the NSU Athletics Audiocast Network.