MIAMI SHORES, Fla. (March 1, 2008) - It was an historic night for NSU women's basketball as the Nova Southeastern Sharks (21-6, 14-2 SSC) defeated the Barry Buccaneers (17-10, 8-8 SSC) by a score of 42-39 on Saturday night at Barry's Health and Sports Center. Point guard Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) tallied five assists en route to breaking the NSU women's basketball single-season assist record. More importantly, the Sharks captured their first-ever Sunshine State Conference regular season championship.

The title comes in NSU's fourth season of full membership in the SSC. Having already accomplished its first-ever 20-win season, NSU needed a victory over Barry in the final game of the regular season to clinch the championship.

"I couldn't be more proud of this group of girls," said tenth year NSU head coach Marilyn Rule. "Tonight was a defensive struggle but we made the plays we needed to make down the stretch to win the game. In this conference, we've played a lot of close games but we just continue to find ways to win."

Winners of 16 of their last 18, the Sharks would need to come from behind in this game as a layup by Amanda Mageean gave the Bucs their largest lead of the night, 19-9, with 7:07 left in the first half.

A jumper by LaShawnna Edwards (So., North Miami Beach, Fla.) sparked NSU on a 10-2 run to end the half, capped by a layup by Christine Haber (Sr., Libertyville, Ill.) with 2:46 left.

Down 21-19 at the half, NSU would not take the lead for good until Ashley Wilson (Sr., Coral Springs, Fla.) knocked down a three with 1:52 left, giving the Sharks a 41-37 lead. Wilson added a jumper for good measure on the next possession, all but sealing the victory and the championship for NSU.

In a defender's delight, Barry and NSU shot 31 and 35 percent from the field, respectively. Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.) led all scorers with 13 points along with 12 rebounds while Princess Bailey scored 12 points and seven boards for the Bucs.

Tepe concludes the regular season with 123 assists, breaking the record previously held by Missy Guadagnino who dished out 121 assists during the 2004-05 season.

NSU will return to the hardwood on Tuesday, March 4 as they host the Eckerd Tritons in SSC Tournament Quarterfinal action at 7pm at the University Center Arena.