Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 23 Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team improved to 6-2 in Sunshine State Conference play with a 69-55 win over Saint Leo on Wednesday night at the NSU Arena.
The Sharks (14-4, 6-2 SSC) scored the first 10 points, and 17 of the first 20, to gain a sizeable early lead over the Lions (6-12, 1-7 SSC). The visitors didn't get their first basket until 14:41, as they committed six turnovers in their first eight possessions. The deficit didn't dip under 10 until a layup with 1:39 to go in the first half made it 27-19 in favor of NSU.
Kayla Wright's (So., Lauderhill, Fla.) layin, a third-chance opportunity during the Sharks' next possession, provided the halftime margin of 10, 29-19. The lead hovered between nine and 14 for the first 10 minutes after the break, and it was 50-38 at the midway mark of the second half.
The Lions scored the next eight points to make it the closest it had been the entire game, 50-46 at 7:11, but NSU responded with an 8-2 run to push it back to double digits (58-48 at 3:40). They held off Saint Leo by making five of their last seven free throws, and overall, made it a 19-9 finish for the win.
"Saint Leo did a great job keeping us out of rhythm by mixing up their defense and playing a lot of zone," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "I give them a lot of credit in their preparation as we didn't find a flow offensively throughout most of the game."
Danielle Robinson (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) had 18 points to pace the Sharks, including a 7-of-8 mark from the free throw line, all in the second half.
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Sr., Miami) and Wright each had 12 points, with twin 6-of-10 shooting lines, and each contributed three steals as well.
Jessica Valley (R-Jr., Lafayette, Ind.) had her second straight double-double with 10 points and a game-best 11 rebounds, along with a team-high six assists.
NSU outrebounded their counterparts 41-30, with 15 coming on the offensive end, led by four from Valley and three from Wright. For the second straight game, they had a healthy advantage in points-in-the-paint, 38-18. Defensively, the team forced 22 Saint Leo turnovers and had 13 steals, and blocked four Lion shots.
"We had a good team defensive effort today to start the game, holding Saint Leo to only 19 points in the first half," said Freeland. "It is exciting to see our defense holding recent opponents under 60 points."
Mary Redmond led Saint Leo off the bench with 18 points, and made 4-of-7 3-pointers. Chachi Guzman (13) and Melissa Jackson (12) were each in double digits, but combined to shoot 6-of-23.
The Sharks begin their second trip through the SSC schedule on Saturday when they travel to take on the 12-6 Tampa Spartans, who are 5-3 in league action after their 61-49 Wednesday win over Barry. Game time is 2 p.m.
