BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Senior Abbie Tepe reached a milestone that only three others have done at Nova Southeastern University, hitting the 1,000-point mark in a Shark uniform as NSU women’s basketball (14-11, 6-9 SSC) got a much needed Sunshine State Conference win over the Lynn Fighting Knights (11-14, 5-10 SSC), 84-73, on Wednesday night in the NSU Arena at the Don Taft University Center.

In addition to 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Tepe (Cincinnati, Ohio) passed former teammate, LaShawnna Edwards (2006-10), for most games played at NSU with 113.

Senior Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, Fla.) dominated in the first half, setting a new season high with 18 points in the first 20 minutes. Sarosi finished 13-for-18 for a game-high 29 points, also a new season high for NSU. The Mims, Fla. native added 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.

Junior Quinessa Johnson (West Chester, Ohio) also found herself in double-figures with 13 points.

Chelsea Patterson and Quanisha Dixon were Lynn’s leaders on the court as both added 26 and 20 points, respectively.

The Sharks finished shooting 46.8 percent (29-for-62) in the game while Lynn was 24-for-60 for 40 percent.

NSU started the first five minutes of the game with a 10-point lead as Johnson and Sarosi were the Sharks lone scorers as NSU took an early 13-3 lead.

Lynn powered back in the following three minutes to take a 16-15 lead on one of the Knights five three’s in the first half.

Nova Southeastern found themselves down by seven at the 9:08 mark, but Sarosi scored the next seven to even it up at 25-25.

Sophomore Sabrina Stambouli (Quebec, Canada) drained a shot from behind the arc to give NSU back the lead, 28-27.

Lynn looked like they were heading into the half with a one point lead, but junior Jessica Walter (Knoxville, Tenn.) swished a three from the corner as NSU had a 41-39 advantage as they entered the locker room.

The Sharks started the second half as they did the first and took a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. Up by 12 with 15:40 remaining in the game, NSU saw that lead dwindle to four with 9:22 left.

Lynn reached within one as they cut the Sharks lead to 66-65 with 5:55 left on the clock, but that was the closest they would get.

NSU recharged as they took a six point lead with a little over one minute remaining.

With all the Lynn could do was foul, NSU hit seven free-throws down the stretch to secure the win.

The Sharks win notches them as the No. 6 seed in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament which begins on March 2.

NSU will first have to square off against No. 25 Florida Southern for its senior night on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the NSU Arena at the Don Taft University Center.