TAMPA, Fla. (March 8, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team advanced to the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship Game on Saturday afternoon by defeating Barry University 47-43 in play at the Bob Martinez Sports Center in Tampa, Fla. NSU (23-6) now awaits the University of Tampa and will play at 3:30 pm on Sunday, March 9th for the title. The game will be broadcast live on the SunSports television network.

The Sharks started the game executing on the offensive and defensive end of the court, jumping out to a 19-7 lead after 13 minutes of play. Barry would battle back, closing the deficit to just five points at the break, based on a 9-2 run to close the half.

Nova Southeastern out-scored Barry 8 to 4 in the paint and 13-4 in points off turnovers. Barry was limited to just 15.4 percent (4-26) shooting from the floor and committed 12 turnovers in the half. NSU shot 29.6 percent (8-27), but was out-rebounded 25-16.

Barry connected on three-point baskets in their first two possessions of the second half to take their first lead of the game at 22-21. The game remained a defensive battle, going back and forth, until a jumper by Barrys Kia Palmer gave the Buccaneers a 33-28 lead with 9:02 remaining.

Trailing 35-32 with 4:19 left to play, NSU point guard Abbie Tepe (Fr., Cincinatti, Ohio) made the play of the game, when she stole the inbounds pass on a full court press and converted a lay-up while being fouled to bring the Sharks to within one point. After completing the three point play, the game was tied.

The Sharks gained momentum on that play, as evidenced by the 7-2 run over the next two minutes to lead 42-37 with 1:54 to play. Barry clawed to within two points with 11 seconds to play, but the Sharks would hold on to win 47-42.

For the game, Nova Southeastern out-shot Barry University 31.9 percent (15-47) to 27.8 percent (15-54. The Bucs held the rebounding advantage 42-32, but NSU would cash in on 20 Barry turnovers to score 19 points. The Sharks finished the game 17-23 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore center Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, Fla.) led the Sharks, coming just two blocks shy of a triple-double. The Sunshine State Conference Player Of The Year registered 12 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and one assist in 29 minutes of play.

Senior forward Amber Bishko (Orlando, Fla.) followed with 10 points and four rebounds. Tepe finished the game with eight points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Barry was led by the guard combo of Lucy Martinez and Princess Bailey, who scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.

NSU (23-6) now awaits the University of Tampa and will play at 3:30 pm on Sunday, March 9th for the title. The game will be broadcast live on the SunSports television network.