MELBOURNE, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2010) - Despite a near career performance from Erin Zampell (So., Naples, Fla.), Nova Southeastern University women's basketball fell 75-63 to Florida Tech on Saturday afternoon at the Clemente Center.

Zampell scored a team-high 19 points and was 13-for-15 from the free throw line. She was just one point shy of tying her career-high of 20 that was set last season at Valdosta State.

In the first half, NSU had to contend with a Florida Tech team that shot 60 percent from long range, making 6-of-10 shots. With the Sharks trailing by five, Priscilla Perez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) swished a three-pointer at 9:14 that made it 19-17 for Florida Tech. However, the Panthers scored 17 points while limiting NSU to just three over the next six minutes to go up 36-20. NSU pulled ultimately pulled to within 12 with a pair of Jada Buckner (So., Loudon, Tenn.) foul shots, but Kristen Dixon hit a jumper in the paint with three seconds to go, giving Florida Tech at 40-26 lead heading into halftime.

After trailing by as many as 23 midway through the second half, the Sharks had a late rally that chipped away at Florida Tech's lead. With the Panthers up 63-42, Stevie Kamp (So., Mesa, Ariz.), Buckner and Zampell each made two foul shots, pulling NSU to within 15 with 6:37 to go. Florida Tech got up to a pair of 17-point leads before NSU had another surge. A three-pointer from Tara Haddock (Sr., Citrus Springs, Fla.) sparked a 7-2 run. The run also included a pair of foul shots and a layup from Zampell as Florida Tech only led 69-59 with 1:46 to go. NSU pulled to within 10 two more times during the game, but two free throws from Lynisha Nelson with 43 seconds left provided Florida Tech with its final points of the game.

NSU shot 27.0 percent from the field, going 17-for-63. Florida Tech made 23-of-55 shots and was 46.7 percent for the game. The Sharks dominated on the boards, making 47 rebounds to Florida Tech's 36.

In addition to Zampell's 19 points, Rheisa Burke (Fr., Port Charlotte, Fla.) chipped in with 11. Kampe pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

Nelson scored a game-high 24 points, while Ashton McClairen added in 17. Briauna Hagins grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

NSU concludes the regular season next Saturday when the Sharks travel to Florida Southern. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.