Florida Tech’s eight-game win streak was snapped in the loss, giving NSU the sweep in the regular season. The last loss the Panthers ironically came to the Sharks, 75-69, on Feb. 5th. Also, Nova Southeastern broke FIT’s perfect 12-0 record on their home court.

 

The Panthers, who are receiving votes in the ESPN Top-25 poll, was outmatched on the boards, as the Sharks set a new season high with 63. The Panthers are the top-rebounding team in the team in the SSC, compared to the Sharks who sit at sixth.

 

Senior Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, Fla.) paced the Sharks with her fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds.

 

Jasmine Wilkins (Fr., Miami, Fla.) was a key factor in the victory as she scurried down a career-high 14 boards while adding eight points.

Junior Quinessa Johnson (West Chester, Ohio) was stellar on both ends of the court as she finished with her first career double-double with 15 points and setting a new career high, 10 rebounds.

 

In a sloppy first half by both teams, NSU shot 39 percent on 11-for-28 shooting. Florida Tech only hit nine field goals for 27 percent on 9-for-34 shooting.

 

The Sharks defense only allow the Panthers to score one field goal in the last 5:40, but numerous fouls sent Florida Tech to the line, allowing them to stay in the game. The Panthers made 10-of-15 from the charity stripe in the first half alone.

 

NSU’s strongest weapon in the first half was it pin point accuracy from behind the arc. The Sharks opened the game on five straight three-pointers and finished tying a season-high with nine.

 

Johnson hit back-to-back threes for Nova Southeastern’s first two baskets of the game.

 

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half, sophomore Sabrina Stambouli (Quebec, Canada) hit a free-throw to extend the Sharks to its first double-digit lead with 10. Stambouli came off the bench and scored eight points for NSU.

 

Florida Tech pulled within three as the minutes wound down in the half, but NSU recovered and headed into the locker room with an eight point advantage.

 

Despite the Sharks being outscored in the second half, 34-26, NSU never lost the lead.

 

At the 1:47 mark, Sarosi hit both free-throws, giving NSU a 62-54 lead. Florida Tech’s Sharnae Ivery nailed a three on the Panthers next possession to cut the game to an NSU two basket lead with 1:35 left.

Lynisha Johnson, who finished with 15 points for Florida Tech, laid in a basket with 44 seconds left and cut the Sharks lead to three at 62-59.

The Sharks could have ended the game in regulation but four straight missed free-throws kept the Panthers to a basket lead and they took advantage with the time ticking off the clock.

Lynisha Johnson muscled in a layup in addition to being fouled and connected the three-point play with four seconds left as the game was deadlocked at 62-62.

 

Junior Jada Buckner (Loudon, Tenn.) hit a last second shot from midcourt was it was waved off as the buzzer was already at zero.

 

In overtime, both teams each hit jumpers in the opening minute to keep the game even but Sarosi gave the Sharks the lead on back-to-back made free-throws.

With 1:44, Florida Tech hit both from the charity stripe and pulled within one but Wilkins stood strong in the paint as the rookie layed in back-to-back shots and with 36 seconds left, NSU had a two basket lead at 72-67. Florida Tech’s last efforts failed as they looked to keep their home streak alive.

 

Senior Abbie Tepe (Cincinnati, Ohio) played in her 109th game, tying the NSU record for fourth all-time with for Allen and Jessica Pate (2000-04).

 

The Sharks finished with 11 blocks, as Sarosi led all with five. Senior Priscilla Perez (Miami, Fla.) tallied a career-high two blocks in the game.

With its second straight road conference win, NSU will return to the confines of its own court as they look to seek revenge on Eckerd on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.