GAME NOTES

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women’s basketball team (3-1) will host its second tournament of the 2011-12 season this weekend, squaring off against Bemidji State (2-0) and Southwest Minnesota State, Friday and Saturday, respectively. Palm Beach Atlantic will also participate in the tournament that begins at 2 p.m. at the NSU Arena both days.
 
The Sharks are coming off a 53-point victory over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Monday evening. Five Sharks reached doubles figures in points against the Janes, while Jessica Russi (So., Lake Mary, Fla.) came up one rebound short of a double-double.
 
Four Sharks are currently averaging at least 10 points per game. Danielle Robinson (Fr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) paces NSU with 15 ppg, while Meixandra Porter (Jr., Chantilly, Va.) is one back at 14 ppg. Russi is third on the team in scoring at 11.3 ppg and Jasmine Wilkins (So., Miami, Fla.) is contributing 10.
 
NSU’s defense was just as impressive as its offense Monday night, tallying 16 steals and five blocks in holding UPR-Mayaguez to 31.8 percent shooting from the field. Jada Buckner (Sr., Loudon, Tenn.), who scored 12 points, recorded a game-high four steals, while Wilkins had three takeaways to go with two blocks.
 
As a team, the Sharks are outscoring opponents by 17.8 points through the first four games of the season. NSU also holds a positive margin in rebounds (+6.3), assists (+4.5) and free throw percentage (+9.1).
 
Bemidji State
The Beavers, a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, head to the Sunshine State carrying a perfect 2-0 record through the beginning stages of the season. Bemidji has shown exceptional offensive prowess in its first two games, scoring 97 points against Lakehead (Ontario) and 100 versus Mayville State. The Beavers won those games by an average of 42.5 points.
 
Kate Warmack leads Bemidji with 22 ppg, shooting 63 percent from the field. Warmack also grabs a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game. Morgan Lee (13.5), Samantha Baldwin (12.5) and Shannon Thompson (11) also average at least 11 ppg for the Beavers.
 
SW Minnesota State
The Mustangs, also from the NSIC, enter play this weekend with a 1-1 record. Sioux Falls topped SW Minnesota State, 76-58, in the Mustangs season-opener Nov. 12. SW Minnesota State came back five days later to defeat Minot State on the road, 72-60.
 
Abby Kenealy is scoring at a 20 ppg clip for the Mustangs, while Bree Holleman is chipping in 15 per contest. The Mustangs hit the glass well as a team with six student-athletes averaging at least 4.5 rebounds per game. Hope Bonlander leads the team with 6.5 rpg.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic
The Sailfish and Sharks won’t meet until Feb. 15, but PBA makes the short trip to Fort Lauderdale to take on the SW Minnesota State Friday and Bemdji State Saturday. The Sailfish are 2-2 this season after a 59-56 victory over Bethune-Cookman Tuesday night.
 
PBA has been a balanced offensive squad this season as its top four scorers are separated by only two ppg. Jordan Kong leads the way with 11 ppg.
 
Live stats for each game can be found HERE, while live video for both of NSU’s games can be found HERE.
 
Tournament Schedule
Friday, Nov. 25
PBA vs. SW Minnesota State, 2 p.m.
Bemidji State vs. NSU, 4 p.m.
 
Saturday, Nov. 26
PBA vs. Bemidji State, 2 p.m.
SW Minnesota State vs. NSU, 4 p.m.