VALDOSTA, Ga. (Dec. 30, 2009) - Lindsey Newpher (Sr., Depew, Okla.) went 4-for-5 from three-point range and Abbie Tepe (Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) became Nova Southeastern University's women's basketball all-time career leader for both assists and steals on Wednesday afternoon as the Sharks defeated Valdosta State 67-59 at the P.E. Complex. NSU, who played in its final non-conference game of the season, now improves to 7-5 on the season.

Newpher went on to score a career-high 20 points as she was 6-for-8 from the field and 4-for-5 from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Tepe had seven assists and four steals in the game. Tepe entered the game with 146 steals, which tied Melissa Guadagnino's record, and 332 assists. In Wednesday's game, she brought her career mark to 339 en route to breaking Eliza Allen's program record of 335. Tepe became the program's sole steals leader with 150.

NSU and Valdosta State battled for control of the scoreboard throughout the game's first six minutes with three ties occurring, including one at 13:58 when a LaShawnna Edwards (Sr., Miami, Fla.) jumper made it 16-16. However, a 14-1 run for the Blazers over the next six minutes provided Valdosta State with a 13-point, 30-17 advantage with 7:48 remaining in the first half.

The Sharks were eventually able to cut the Blazers' lead down to seven. Newpher hit a three-pointer at 2:02 take made it 33-26 in favor of Valdosta State. However, Valdosta State used a free throw by Amanda Haven with four seconds left to take an eight-point 34-26 lead into halftime.

NSU came out strong in the second half, going on a 19-4 run. A layup by Tepe at 15:03 evened the game at 38-38, while a jumper by Edwards at 14:36 gave the Sharks a two-point lead. NSU ultimately built up a seven-point cushion, using a three-pointer and a pair of foul shots all from Newpher to go up 45-38 at 12:54.

Valdosta State pulled to with two on three different occasions, including with 6:18 left as Leschelle Matthews hit a jumper to make it 49-47 in favor of NSU. However, the Sharks gradually began to pull away. NSU took a pair of nine-points leads in the final 5:10. A layup by Edwards at 5:10 allowed the Sharks to take a 56-47 advantage. Then after the Blazers pulled to within four, Jada Buckner (So., Loudon, Tenn.) sank a pair of foul shots that gave NSU a 67-58 lead with 42 seconds to go.

NSU, who shot 61.9 percent from the second half, went 22-for-45 from the field and shot 48.9 percent for the game. Valdosta State shot 36.4 percent and was 20-for-55. The Blazers held a narrow advantage in rebounds, grabbing 33 as NSU had 32.

In addition to Newpher's 20 points, NSU got 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds from Edwards.

Matthews led Valdosta State with 12 points. Brittany Daniels also had a game-high eight rebounds.

The remainder of the Sharks' schedule consists of Sunshine State Conference opponents. NSU is back on the hardwood on Saturday at Tampa. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.