FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 4, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team held on against a tough Eckerd College team to win 63-61 in the opening round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament in action on Tuesday evening inside the University Center Arena. The gives NSU a 22-6 overall record and advances the Sharks to the SSC Tournament semi-final vs. Barry University on Saturday, March 8th in Tampa, Fla. Eckerd ends their season 15-13.

The Sharks fell behind early, trailing 10-2 after the initial five minutes of play. NSU trailed all the way until 5:45 remaining in the first half, when two free throws by Christine Haber (Sr., Libertyville, Ill.) knotted the score at 24. Nova Southeastern entered the half leading 30-27.

NSU controlled most of the second half, leading by as many as nine points with 8:17 remaining, before Eckerd made things close late. Down by two with eight seconds left, Eckerd was unable to get a good look at the basket, and lost by the final score of 63-61.

Sharks center Stephanie Sarosi (So., Mims, Fla.) led NSU with 22 points to go along with a team high eight rebounds and five blocks. Forward Amber Bishko (Sr., Orlando, Fla.) followed with 18 points. Point guard Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) paced the offensive effort, distributing eight assists and scoring 12 points.

Eckerd was led by the sharp shooting Ashley Lutz, who scored 25 points and was 8-10 from the field, including 5-5 from three-point range.

NSU out-shot Eckerd 49.1 percent to 46.0 percent. The Tritons out-rebounded the Sharks 36-21, but were out-scored 36-22 in the paint and 20-11 in points of turnovers.

The Shark travel to Tampa, Fla. to face Barry University on Saturday, March 8th in the SSC Semi-finals.