FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 6, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University womens basketball team missed out on an opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the Sunshine State Conference on Wednesday evening, falling 61-58 to the University of Tampa in a contest of the top two teams in the SSC. The loss drops NSU to 15-6 overall and 8-2 in SSC play while Tampa improves to 16-4 overall and 8-2 in SSC play.
The Sharks started strong out of the gate, opening the game on an 11-0 run over the first five minutes of play. NSU would maintain their first half lead, entering the locker room up by 11 at 35-24. NSU held Tampa to just 35.4 percent from the field and limited Spartans All-American Sheena Walton to just six points and three rebounds. The Sharks shot 55.6 percent from the field, led by junior forward Eliza Allen (Hegenheim, France) and Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.), who combined to go 10-14 from the field. Nova Southeastern out-scored Tampa 8-0 in fast break points.
The tables were turned in the second half, as Tampa full-court pressure flustered NSU, causing 11 Shark turnovers. The Spartans held NSU scoreless for five minutes, going on a 12-0 from 18:11 to 13:44, to lead for the first time at 38-37. A three-pointer by Allen with 3:09 remaining put Nova Southeastern back into the lead, as NSU led 56-54. Tampa, an experienced team that has won the last two SSC tournament titles, rallied to go on a 7-2 run to close the game and win 61-58.
Tampa out-scored NSU 37-23 in the second half to complete the come from behind victory. The Sharks were held to just 32.1 percent from the floor in the second half, while the Spartans improved to 42.4 percent. Spartans guard DeShaydia Mackey led the charge, scoring 11 second half points while tallying three steals.
Nova Southeastern was once again led by Sarosi, who finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and eight blocks. Allen followed with 13 points, three assists and three steals. Freshman point guard Abbie Tepe almost registeredd a triple-double, posting nine points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
NSU travels to St. Petersburg, Fla. on Saturday, February 9th at 2 pm to face the Eckerd College Tritons in a SSC match-up. The game can be heard live on the NSU Athletics Audiocast Network.
