FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Nov. 28, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University men's basketball team was defeated 77-72 by Catawba in action inside the Don Taft University Center on Friday evening. The loss drops the Sharks to 1-3 on the season while Catawba stands at 4-2.

"It was a good weekend for our team," said NSU head coach Gary Tuell. "We had the opportunity to play two outstanding teams, two NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago. Both of the teams we played had most of their starters back and were experienced teams. We need to play against good teams to get better. We had great opportunities to win both night, but we have so many young kids who don't know how to do it yet. These games will help them learn."

Catawba jumped out to a 15-6 lead early in the first half before the Sharks mounted a 14-four run to lead 20-29. The game would remain close until the half with the Indians leading 39-31. Junior center Ross Allsop (Sydney, Australia) led the Sharks with six points at the break as NSU shot 33.3 percent as a team.

The Sharks held Catawba scoreless for the initial four minutes of the second half, going on a 10-0 run to lead 41-39. After the Indians went on another run, the Sharks answered with one of their own to lead 66-62 with 3:43 left to play. Two consecutive turnovers by NSU sparked Catawba to fast break points in two of their next three possessions as the Indians went ahead 69-66. The Sharks would close to within one point with 25 seconds remaining but NSU ran out of time and fell by the 77-72 final score.

Allsop led all Shark scorers with 17 points and added nine rebounds and three assists. Junior forward Alex Gynes (Nowra, Australia) was also in double figures with 11 points and had eight rebounds and two assists. Junior guard John Brooks (Riverside, Calif.) and freshman forward Luke Roesch (Lancaster, Ohio) contributed with nine points apiece. Rob Fields paced the Indians scoring with 19 points while Antonio Houston had 16 points.

"Coming into tonight, if someone told me that we would have chances to win against these two tough teams I would have said that you're crazy," added Tuell. "I am proud of our kids. They are growing up. Now we need to get ready for a final four team in Christian Brothers for Thursday."

The Sharks remain at home to host Christian Brothers at 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 3rd inside the Don Taft University Center.