ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team was defeated 59-50 on the road at Eckerd College in Sunshine State Conference play on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Sharks record to 8-11 on the season, including 4-5 in SSC play while Eckerd improves to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in SSC play.

Each team struggled offensively in the first half, as the two teams combined for 43 points. The Sharks shot just 28.6 percent (8-28) while the Tritons were 47.1 percent (9-19) from the field. Early in the half NSU held a nine point lead at 14-5, holding Eckerd without a field goal for over a five minute span. Over the next nine minutes and 18 seconds the Sharks struggled from the field, held without a field goal and scoring only on two free-throws by junior center Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, Fla.). Over the span of the drought, Eckerd out-scored NSU 18-2. The Tritons held a 23-20 edge at the break.

Sarosi and point guard Abbie Tepe (So., Cincinnati, OH) were tied for the team lead with six points at the half. Javiera Novion led the Tritons with five points.

A three-pointer by senior forward Eliza Allen (Hegenheim, France) knotted the score at 25 apiece just minutes into the second half. Eckerd would again have an answer, holding the Sharks scoreless for five minutes and 21 seconds, going on an 11-0 run to lead 36-25. NSU cut the lead down to as few as three points with just over a minute left to play but a three-pointer by the Tritons Kati Rausberg ended the rally. Eckerd cashed in on three free-throws to account for the final 59-50 score.

For the game, Eckerd out-shot NSU 45.7 percent to 33.3 percent and held a 37-28 advantage in rebounds. The Tritons also hit on 53.8 percent (7-13) of their three-point attempts while NSU shot just 26.7 percent (4-15).

Tepe set a new season high with 17 points on 6-11 shooting from the floor. She also had two rebounds and three assists. Sarosi had 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Tritons had three players in double-figures, led by Olivia Nagle with 13 points. Ashley Lutz and Novion contributed with 10, apiece.

Nova Southeastern will return home to host University of Tampa On Wednesday, February 4th at 5:30 pm inside the University Center Arena.