Box Score MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The No. 13 Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team held off the Barry Buccaneers on Saturday to gain a conference road win, 76-68.
The Sharks (12-3, 4-2 SSC) and Bucs (9-7, 1-4 SSC) traded first-half runs before NSU was able to push ahead for good. Barry made the game's first basket as the Sharks missed three layups underneath, but NSU rebounded by making their next five shots (and six of seven) for a 12-0 and then 15-2 stretch. They led 15-4 at 13:51.
Barry responded with a 16-2 run of their own, pushing back ahead at 20-17 on a Amra Elezovic 3-pointer at 7:49.
Jessica Valley (R-Jr., Lafayette, Ind.) immediately answered on the subsequent possession with a '3' of her own to tie, commencing a 9-0 Shark run and a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The Sharks led 26-20 at that point, and it was 36-30 NSU at the half. A mini 7-2 spurt out of the break pushed the Sharks ahead by double digits, 43-32 (17:45), and the lead stayed at 10 or above from 12:49 until eight minutes left. Though Barry was able to cut it to four with 1:01 to go, NSU made 4-of-6 free throws for all of the remaining scoring and the victory.
"We made some improvements today as a team," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "Two things that stood out to our staff were our loud communication and our determination to win every board battle."
Valley led NSU with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and also had eight rebounds to tie for the team's best.
Danielle Robinson (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) had 10 of her 15 points in the second half, while
Monaye Merritt (R-Jr., Philadelphia) made her first eight free throws (and 8-of-9 overall) among her 14.
Kaylia Richardson scored Barry's first 12 points and set the new mark for high scoring by an NSU opposing player this year with 26. Antonia Neibler added four 3-pointers for 12 for the Bucs.
The Sharks next play their final out-of-conference game of the year, traveling to play Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m.
"Every day, our team needs to focus on improving our weaknesses," said Freeland. "We enjoy coaching this group, and we are eager to continue to grow together."
