FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Saturday’s Senior Day matchup for the Nova Southeastern women’s basketball team pits the Sunshine Conference’s top two teams against each other with the regular season winding down.
The Sharks (17-6, 9-4 SSC) are just a half-game behind the conference leaders and Saturday's opponent, the Lynn Fighting Knights (17-7, 10-4 SSC). The team will honor their two seniors prior to the 2 p.m. tipoff: Tailor Jones (Sr., Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and Meixandra Porter (Sr., Chantilly, Va.).
“We play our best basketball when we are loose, so we have been focusing on working hard and having fun,” said head coach LeAnn Freeland of the upcoming matchup. “Even though we have a lot of season yet to play, we will be recognizing two outstanding seniors on Saturday.”
Jones joined the team this season as a transfer from Northwestern. She has started 14 games this season, averaging 9.4 points a contest, along with a team-high 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists (second on the team, fourth in the SSC). Porter has led NSU in scoring in each of her two years with the squad. Her 16.5 points per game this year is second in the conference, and she leads the SSC in steals (2.6) and 3-pointers made a game (2.6).
Freeland on Jones:
"Tailor made an immediate impact for our program this season. She has the versatility that fits our program well and has been a major contributor throughout the season. When we signed Tailor, we knew we would only have one season and she has come through in a big way. She will graduate in the summer with her Master's degree in sports administration and has already landed a great internship."
Freeland on Porter:
"Meix was one of two players we signed when we took over the program two years ago and we knew we had landed a special player. She has helped shape the program into a national contender in a short amount of time. Because of her athleticism and skill set, I believe she is one of the best players to ever play at NSU. Her numbers in only two seasons and our team's improvement speak volumes about her as a player in our system. It is important to Meix that we make big things happen to finish her senior year. She will graduate with a degree in business in May." |
When these two teams met earlier this season in Jan. 26 in Boca Raton, it was arguably NSU’s most exciting win of the year. The Sharks were down by as many as 10 in the second half, and by five with 3:35 remaining. Amanda Burakoski (Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) put in the game-winner, a 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left, in a 69-67 victory.
“Lynn is a talented team and have great leadership from their senior leader, Kira Harvey,” said Freeland. “We snuck out of the gym at their place with a last-second game-winner and I am sure they will be ready for the rematch. It will be a great game.”
Harvey, who graduated just across the street at Nova High School, leads the SSC in scoring (18.8 points per game) and ranks in the conference’s top five
in nine other categories.
On Wednesday, both teams picked up victories. Lynn defeated then- conference leader, Florida Tech, 89-76, while the Sharks overcame Rollins, 85-76, holding off multiple Tar rallies in the second half after being up by 21 in the frame. The NSU defense forced 27 turnovers in the win.
“We played 32 minutes of good basketball against Rollins and our defensive pressure led to easy points in transition,” said Freeland. “In order to continue to gain momentum, we must dig deep for 40 minutes.”
The Sharks’ two leading scorers on the season, Porter and Danielle Robinson (So., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), took turns sharing the scoring load on Wednesday. Robinson had 17 of her 22 points in the first half, while Porter poured in 18 of her game-high 27 after the break.
“Prior to the game, I challenged our scorers to work for their shots,” said Freeland. “All of our scorers had a good outing, but Danielle and Meix stepped up big time. Even though I want the players to continue to be unselfish, our scorers must want the ball.”
The team also received significant news just prior to Wednesday’s tipoff, as the NCAA Regional Rankings were released for the first time. The Sharks are ranked No. 2 in the south, behind Florida Tech (who, again, were defeated that night by Lynn).
“Sitting at number two in the region in the first region ranking is a solid place to be,” said Freeland. “However, there is much parity in the region and things can change quickly during this time of year. We just have to show up ready every day and enjoy the ride.”
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