Box Score BOX SCORE
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a matchup of the top two teams in the Sunshine State Conference, the Nova Southeastern women’s basketball team moved into sole possession of first place with a decisive win over Lynn Saturday afternoon, 89-59.
The Sharks (18-6, 10-4 SSC) celebrated Senior Day by leading wire-to-wire, opening the game with a 10-2 run and never looking back.
Tailor Jones (Sr., Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and
Meixandra Porter (Sr., Chantilly, Va.), were honored prior to playing their final regular season game at the NSU Arena in the Don Taft University Center, and were two of NSU’s four double-digit scorers in the win.
“Our two seniors had a great game and that is exactly what we hope for on 'Senior Night,'” said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "Tailor battled on defense and finished well inside against the zone. Meix played great on-ball defense, outhustled Lynn for loose balls, and knocked down big shots.”
Porter led the Sharks with 22 points on the day, while
Danielle Robinson (So., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) had 18 points and eight rebounds. Jones had 12 points and five assists, and
Taylor Buie (Fr., Puyallup, Wash.) also had 12.
In addition, point guard
Jessica Russi (Jr., Lake Mary, Fla.) was just a couple of opportune bounces away from a triple-double as she had eight points, eight rebounds and nine assists (along with a team-high five steals) in the victory.
The Sharks shot an even 50 percent in the first half of play on their way to a 13-point lead, 39-26. They scored the first six points after the break to move ahead by 19, and the closest the Fighting Knights would get the remainder of the game was 16 (60-44). The 30-point spread at the final horn was the game’s biggest lead.
“Even though I haven’t watched the game for the second time, I feel this might have been the best overall game we have played this season," said Freeland. "With us, it always starts with our defensive intensity and it was present from start to finish.”
As Freeland said, the recent trend of defense leading to offense continued. The Sharks forced Lynn into committing 30 turnovers, turning into a 34-9 NSU advantage in points off TO’s. The Sharks “held” the SSC’s leading scorer, Kira Harvey, to 24 points, on 8-of-14 shooting and 3-of-8 from behind the arc. No other Fighting Knight notched double digits.
“Over the past week, I have liked our team’s state of mind," said Freeland. "Everyone has shown up ready to practice and we have been looking solid, especially on defense.”
The Sharks will put first place in the SSC on the line this Wednesday, Feb. 27, while Lynn, now in second place (17-8, 10-5 SSC), is off. NSU will travel to Melbourne, Fla., for a 5:30 tipoff against Florida Tech. The Panthers won the first meeting between the schools, on Jan. 23 in Fort Lauderdale, 83-73.
“Our next game will be a battle at Florida Tech," said Freeland. "We are going to continue to take each game as they come and enjoy the remainder of the regular season.”
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