FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Dec. 13, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University men's basketball team dealt Northwood (Fla.) its first loss on the season as sophomore guard Teddy Tassy banked a runner with 0.6 seconds left in overtime in action inside the Don Taft University Center on Sunday evening. The 76-74 win improves the Sharks record to 3-3 on the season while Northwood falls to 6-1.
"It was a fun game with two good teams competing hard," said NSU head coach Gary Tuell. "Anytime you can win against a Rollie Massimino coached team you have to feel good. He's one of the legends in the game. It was a really good experience for our kids, Northwood came into the game undefeated, ranked #3 in the country and had beat FIU earlier this season."
The Sharks fell behind early in the game and trailed 30-25 heading into the half. Down 32-30 early in the second half, NSU mounted a 23-10 run to take the largest lead of the game (11 points) with 7:35 remaining in the game. The Seahawks chipped away at the lead and tied the game with 13 second left to send the game into overtime.
Melvin Calhoun connected on a lay-up for Northwood with seven seconds remaining in overtime to knot the score at 74 apiece. The Sharks inbounded the ball to Tassy (Boca Raton, Fla.), who went the length of the court, spun and banked in a contested, five-foot jumper with 0.6 seconds left to give NSU the victory.
"Tassy should be congratulated," said Tuell. "His toughness and will to win came through in that shot. I'm proud of him and proud of this team."
NSU shot 45.5 percent from the field and out-rebounded Northwood 42-33. The Sharks were led by junior guard John Brooks (Riverside, Calif.) with 21 points and two assists. Tassy followed with 13 points while junior guard Alex Gynes (Nowra, Australia) was also in double-figures with 10 points.
Tuell said, "We didn't play particularly well, partly because Northwood has depth, athletic talent and size. But we just found a way to win. JB (John Brooks) made some big shots, Luke (Roesch) made an impossible shot to keep us ahead and Gynes gave us a spark by playing hard and aggressive."
Lester Hunte led Northwood with 21 points.
The Sharks remain at home to host Mt. Saint Joseph at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 18th inside the Don Taft University Center.
