Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The No. 11 Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team ran their winning streak to six games, and three in conference play, defeating Florida Southern at home on Saturday, 86-69.
The Sharks (11-2, 3-1 SSC) opened up a double-digit lead midway through the first half and led by nine or more the rest of the way. Four players scored 10 or more, led by
Danielle Robinson (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) with 22, as she went 7-of-9 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line. Her 3-pointer with 18:55 to go in the game broke a tie with former Shark Eliza Allen and gave Robinson the NSU women's program record all to herself at 185. She would add two more '3's, including one in the waning minutes, the final tally for the Sharks on the night.
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Sr., Miami) was next with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and she also tied for the team's best of eight rebounds while adding three blocked shots. Also in double figures were
Alexis Murphy (Jr., Carlisle, Ohio) with 11 and
Monaye Merritt (R-Jr., Philadelphia) with 10. Murphy was 3-of-4 from the field and 2-of-3 from behind the arc, while Merritt tied for the team highs of eight boards and four assists.
Molly Blomer (Jr., West Chester, Ohio) knocked down three 3-pointers for the second straight game (the fifth time this season she's reached at least that mark) for nine points along with six rebounds, and
Winter Rodriguez (So., Miami) came off the bench to score eight.
"We did a good job preparing for Florida Southern as a team," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "Since taking over the program, Coach (Betsy) Harris has inspired her team to play at a different level. Our players came together and executed our game plan to beat a good team."
The Sharks shot 55.4 percent from the field, their best mark since Nov. 21, and was even better from behind the arc, going 9-of-14 for 64.3 percent, tops on the year thus far. They held Florida Southern to just 28.0 percent shooting, nearly the lowest by an opponent (27.9 by Fayetteville State on Dec. 20).
FSC (8-4, 2-1 SSC) was led by 17 points from Cashala Thompson, all coming in the first half, which at that point included 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. She became a point of emphasis after the break, as the Sharks held her to zero points on 0-of-4 long-range shooting. Syerra Davis was next for the Mocs with 12.
The Sharks face a tough road battle next, traveling to Winter Park this Wednesday to take on No. 10 Rollins, 10-1 to start the year. The Tars are 3-0 in conference play, including a 70-47 win over Saint Leo at home on Saturday. Tipoff on Wednesday is 5:30 p.m.
"Moving forward, we must continue to focus on our philosophies and commit to daily improvement," said Freeland. "This was one of our best executed games, which is a sign of growth."
