FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 23, 2008) - NSU center Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.) scored 20 points, including 13 in the second half and a pair of clutch, game-winning free throws with 21 seconds left in the game to lead the Nova Southeastern Sharks (19-6, 12-2 SSC) to a 52-51 victory over the Lynn Fighting Knights (16-10, 7-8 SSC) on Saturday night at NSU's University Center Arena. Before the game, the Sharks' five seniors were recognized for their contributions to the women's basketball program. The victory widened NSU's lead over idle Tampa to a mere one full game atop the Sunshine State Conference standings with two games left to play.

In a game that featured four ties and a whopping 16 lead changes, neither team led by more than six points at any point in the game. The largest lead of the first half went to the Sharks when a fastbreak layup by Amber Bishko (Sr., Orlando, Fla.) gave NSU an 18-14 lead with 7:52 left.

A made three by Lynn's Cara Dolci capped a 10-3 run with 3:12 remaining, giving Lynn a 24-21 but the Sharks were able to regain the lead thanks to a made layup by Christine Haber (Sr., Libertyville, Ill.) with 38 seconds left, sending NSU into the locker room ahead 27-26.

In the second half, a three-pointer by Ashley Wilson (Sr., Coral Springs, Fla.) gave NSU its largest lead of the game, 44-38, with 10:56 left. Lynn used an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 49-46 lead but a Sarosi jumper, a couple of made free throws by Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) and Sarosi's free throws with 21 seconds left gave NSU the lead for good. Lynn had the final possession of the game but was never able to muster a quality shot.

Sarosi also grabbed eight rebounds while Wilson added 10 points and six boards. In a game in which NSU head coach Marilyn Rule started the squad's four healthy seniors, Eliza Allen (Jr., Hegenheim, France) added eight points and seven rebounds while Tepe also grabbed seven rebounds.

Rachel Brockman and Crystal Ahmed led the Knights with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

NSU will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, February 27 as they travel to Melbourne, Fla. to take on the Florida Tech Panthers at 5:30pm. With a win, the Sharks can assure themselves of at least a share of the SSC regular season championship for the first time in program history.