ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2009) - A John Brooks three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left propelled the Nova Southeastern Men's Basketball team to a 78-75 victory on the road over Flagler College on Tuesday evening. The win improves the Sharks record to 1-1 on the season while Flagler falls to 1-2.
"This was a gut-check win for our young guys," said NSU head coach Gary Tuell. "Flagler is always well coached and very tough to play at home. Alot of people were down on our kids after the season opener at Miami. But we took the positives from that game, and when you look at the facts, we played a terrific second half. I think that second half gave us alot of confidence going into Flagler."
After the Saints scored the first four points of the game the Sharks responded with an 11-0 run to lead 11-4. NSU closed the half on a 7-0 run over the final 1:38 to lead 32-27 at halftime.
A lay-up by junior Max Papendieck (Adelaide, Australia) gave the Sharks its largest lead of the game at 52-40. The Saints battled back to knot the score at 73 apiece with 1:03 remaining. An offensive rebound and put-back by Papendieck gave NSU a 75-73 lead before a lay-up by Flagler's Eddie Fowler tied the game once again at 75-75.
With the clock winding down, Brooks (Jr., Riverside, Calif.) calmly pulled up from the right wing and drained a long three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left to give the Sharks a 78-75 lead.
"John's game winning shot was just beautiful," Tuell said. "He put this team on his back and delivered for his teammates. He did that the entire second half, culminating with the last shot."
Due to the quality of the three-pointer shooters on the Flagler roster, the Sharks fouled with two seconds left so the Saints couldn't get off a three-point shot. After two missed free-throws and a rebound by Papendieck the clocked expired and clinched the NSU victory.
"Max Papendieck showed alot of heart on that last rebound to preserve the win. He just wanted the ball more than anyone else on the floor."
Brooks led all scorers with 21 points on 8-13 shooting. He also had four assists and a steal. Alex Gynes (Jr., Nowra, Australia) followed with 11 points while sophomore Rob Huntington (Adelaide, Australia) had 10 points. Guard Brian Cahill (Fr., Arlington, Va.) had a team high seven rebounds while junior center Ross Allsop (Sydney, Australia) contributed with four blocks.
"Our depth and pressure wore Flagler down a little and we got some positives from Ross Allsop, Alex Gynes, Rob Huntington and Luke Roesch. Al gives us a great lift with his energy. Luke really got on the glass and Ross and Rob made some big baskets and gave our defense a lift with their helpside efforts. But when we needed someone to step us and carry us John Brooks was just terrific. He is a much different and better player than last year. His maturity and leadership tonight won this game for us."
John Pietkiewicz and Lydon Merthie tied for the Flagler team lead with 15 points each.
The Sharks return home to host West Virginia State at 5:30 pm at the Don Taft University Center
