Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 1 Nova Southeastern University women's basketball squad won its first-ever game as the top-ranked team in Division II, defeating Stillman in the NSU Thanksgiving Classic opener on Friday afternoon, 87-61.
A 10-0 run late in the first half, keyed by two 3-pointers by
Molly Blomer (Jr., West Chester, Ohio), pushed the NSU (5-0) advantage from 32-23 (at the 5:23 mark) to 42-23 (1:43). All told, the Sharks outscored Stillman (0-5) 15-5 to end the half and the closest the visitors would get the remainder of the game was 14.
At that point, with 17:01 to go in the game (50-36), the Sharks would have a stretch of six made baskets in eight attempts (including four 3's) as part of a 19-5 run to lead 69-41 at 11:49. Their lead would be 22 or more, and as many as 31. The final margin of 26 extended the team's win streak to five.
Blomer set a career-high with five 3-pointers and matched her best of 16 points to lead the Sharks. As a team, they made 14 from behind the arc in the game, which also included three by
Alexis Murphy (Jr., Carlisle, Ohio), who had 12 on the afternoon, and two from freshman
Mary Hirt (Hartland, Wisc.), who netted a new best of 10 points.
Also in double digits were
Monaye Merritt (R-Jr., Philadelphia), who matched Blomer for Shark scoring honors with 16 while adding a game-best six assists, and
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Sr., Miami) with 10 points and a team-high six boards.
Kayla Wright (So., Lauderhill, Fla.) had nine points, and
Winter Rodriguez (So., Miami) also had a new career best of seven points, while adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Sharks held the Lady Tigers to 27.8 percent shooting in the second half, and forced 21 turnovers while converting those into a 28-16 advantage. They also had a 16-2 margin in fast break points. Stillman was led by Angel Mitchell, with 16 points, while Joclyn Ramos had 11 rebounds.
The Sharks will face Union University in day two of the Thanksgiving Classic, opening up the Saturday slate at 2 p.m.
