Box Score

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men’s basketball team (12-12, 5-9 SSC) lost to the Tampa Spartans (20-5, 9-5 SSC) in overtime for the second time this season Saturday on the road, 91-82.

Senior forward Alex Gynes (Nowra, Australia) nearly duplicated his career-best night against Valdosta State by matching a career-high 30 points while corralling 14 rebounds, one short of his career best. Gynes shot 11-for-17 from the floor and scored eight points at the free throw line.

The Sharks got off to a strong start as they established a 13-8 lead early in the first half. The Spartans went on a 7-2 run that erased the deficit but their momentum did not help them take a lead as the Sharks continued to control the game. The Sharks led by six points, their largest lead of the half, with less than five minutes in the half and entered the break leading, 41-36.

NSU shot 53 percent from the floor in the first half but the road team could not establish a double-digit lead as Tampa scored 15 points off NSU’s turnovers. John Brooks (Sr., Perris, Calif.) scored 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting in the first half. He finished the game with 19 points and three rebounds.

The Sharks held onto their lead for a majority of the second half and went up by double-digits (63-53) with just over nine minutes left in regulation. The Sharks led, 72-64, with six minutes to go but the Spartans tied the game by going on a 12-4 run. The Sharks and Spartans traded free throw shots down the stretch as neither team could run away with the game in the final two minutes.

With the game tied at 78, the Spartans had the final possession of regulation with 13 seconds on the clock. The Shark defense forced a three-point shot at the buzzer from Anthony Griffis, the Spartans’ leading scorer on the night, which did not go in.

NSU entered the overtime period shooting over 50 percent but could not carry their hot shooting into the final five minutes. The Sharks shot 0-for-8 in overtime, five of which were three-point attempts. NSU was outscored 13-4 in the overtime as they dropped to .500 on the season.

Robert Huntington (Jr., Perth, Australia) earned double-digit rebounds for the first time in his career with 10 boards along with eight points. Max Papendieck (Sr., Adelaide, Australia) broke out of his shooting slump by knocking down two three’s en route to 10 points.

The Sharks will return home for their final two regular season games, starting with their game against Lynn Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.