Box Score
LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 5 Nova Southeastern women's basketball team used balanced scoring, with four in double digits, to top Florida Southern on the road on Saturday evening, 69-58.
The Sharks (17-1, 8-1 SSC) began cold from the field, starting out 1-of-11 and 2-of-13 in the first eight minutes, and trailing the Mocs (5-14, 0-9 SSC), 10-4. Over the next eight minutes, they were 9-of-12 and took a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The run that gave them the lead was 14-3, and included seven points from
Richelle Carach (Sr., Naples, Fla.). Though there were three more ties, the Mocs could never retake the advantage. NSU led 34-28 at the half, and at that point,
Amanda Burakoski (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) led all scorers with 10 points off the NSU bench.
Twice after the break, the Mocs cut the Shark lead to five. The second time was with exactly 16 minutes left, and the Sharks promptly scored the next seven points, on a Burakoski layup, a
Molly Blomer (So., West Chester, Ohio) 3-pointer, and an
Alexis Murphy (So., Carlisle, Ohio) layin, to make it 45-33 with 13:06 to go.
The last run, 13-4 to put the Mocs away, came in a near-six-minute stretch that pushed the lead from seven (54-47 with 7:35 left) to 16 (67-51 at the 1:43 mark), the biggest of the game. Carach had the remaining eight points of her total in the second half, as well as seven rebounds.
"Florida Southern is a much improved squad, and it was a battle," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "As a staff, we are excited that our players continue to improve their communication and team defense."
Carach finished with her third double-double of the season, at 15 points (on 6-of-7 shooting) and 10 rebounds. Burakoski was next with 14, while
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Jr., Miami) added 12 and
Danielle Robinson (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 10.
Jessica Russi (Sr., Lake Mary, Fla.) chipped in with seven assists and six rebounds.
"Offensively, we need to take care of the ball better and knock down open layups and '3's," said Freeland. "We are a much better offensive team than we have consistently demonstrated lately."
Florida Southern was led by Christin Strawbridge's 15 points and nine rebounds. Cashala Thompson added 14 points, including four 3-pointers, while Ali Sanders had 13.
With their 7-1 mark, the Sharks keep a game ahead of both Rollins and Tampa in the SSC standings. The team returns to the NSU Arena for their first of three straight home games this upcoming Wednesday. The tipoff against the Eckerd Tritons is 5:30 p.m.
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