FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 16, 2008) - NSU center Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.) scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and collected five blocks to help Nova Southeastern (17-6, 10-2 SSC) erase a halftime deficit and defeat the Saint Leo Lions (11-12, 4-8) by a score of 69-67 on Saturday evening at NSU's University Center Arena. The Lions set out to finish the week as giant killers, having upset the Tampa Spartans, a team with which NSU was tied atop the Sunshine State Conference standings, on Wednesday night. The win helps NSU retain its half-game lead over the Spartans and the rest of the SSC.
NSU started the game on a 17-6 run, capped by a pair of layups by Amber Bishko (Sr., Orlando, Fla.) and Sarosi with 12:39 remaining in the frame. Over the remainder of the half, however, Saint Leo would outscore the Sharks 23-10 led by 11 points by forward Melissa Guerero.
With Saint Leo up 29-27 at the half, the Lions outshot the Sharks 46 percent to 40 percent from the field. Bishko and Sarosi each scored eight points while Ashley Wilson (Sr., Coral Springs, Fla.) added five.
In the second half, Sarosi exploded for 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting including 7-of-10 free throws. After Lauren Lee, Kiara Bradley and Guerero hit three consecutive baskets, a layup by Sarosi sparked NSU on an 11-4 run, capped by a jumper by Bishko to tie the game and consecutive three-pointers drained by Eliza Allen (Jr., Hegenheim, France), giving NSU a 45-39 lead with 10:33 remaining.
Sarosi would then score the Sharks' next six points, pushing NSUs lead to 51-41 with 7:33 left. Saint Leo would respond with an 18-8 run, capped by a layup by Guerero to tie the game at 59-59 with 2:53 left.
Wilson promptly put the Sharks up for good with a three followed by a conventional three-point play converted by Sarosi to put NSU ahead 65-59. Layups by Guerero and Dominique Daniels trimmed the Sharks lead to 65-63 with 45 seconds left.
After the teams traded baskets, Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) converted a pair of free throws to increase NSUs lead 69-65 with 15 seconds remaining. After Guerero missed a layup and promptly fouled Sarosi, Sarosi missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Saint Leo another possession. Whitley Washington was fouled while attempting a three but it would be a moot point as the foul came with one second left.
For the game, Guerero led the Lions with 21 points on 10-of-19 shooting while Daniels added 16 points and Lee collected a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards. Bishko scored 12 points for the Sharks while Wilson contributed 11. Tepe also scored seven points and dished out seven assists.
NSU will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, February 20 as they host the Rollins College Tars at 5:30pm at the University Center Arena.
