FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2010) - The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team held off Barry University 56-48 in a Sunshine State Conference showdown inside the Don Taft University Center on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Sharks record to 11-13 on the season and 4-9 in SSC play while Barry falls to 17-6 and 8-4.

The Sharks ran off to an early lead, going on a 9-2 run over the first 4:11 of the game. Nova Southeastern would maintain their defensive intensity, limiting Barry to just 21 first half points on 28.6 percent shooting. NSU also out-rebounded the Buccaneers 22-18, including 7-5 on the offensive glass. Junior point guard Abbie Tepe (Cincinnati, Ohio) and senior guard Tara Haddock (Citrus Springs, Fla.) each connected on two, three-points in the opening period as the Sharks shot 50 percent (5-10) as a team.

Tepe led the Sharks with nine points, five rebounds and two assists in the opening period.

Nova Southeastern extended their lead to as many as 16 points with 6:35 left to play. The Buccaneers closed to within six points with 2:19 remaining but the Sharks held onto the lead to win, 56-48.

The Buccaneers were limited to just 30.2 percent from the field for the game, including 23.8 percent on three-pointers. They were led by Shanna Suttington with 14 points while Mariesa Greene was held to just three points on 1-12 shooting from the floor.

Tepe led all players with 17 points on 6-12 shooting. She also added nine rebounds, three assists and a steal in 37 minutes of play. Sophomore guard Jada Buckner (Loudon, Tenn.) was also in double-figures with 14 points while Haddock finished with 12 in the winning effort for the Sharks. Sophomore forward Erin Zampell (Naples, Fla.) had eight points, nine rebounds and five assists.

The Sharks remain home to host Rollins College at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17th inside the Don Taft University Center.