MELBOURNE, Fla. – The No. 3 Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team overcame what was once a 15-point deficit, and 12 entering the fourth quarter, using a blistering final frame to defeat Florida Tech on the road Tuesday night, 75-73.
 
The Sharks (5-0, 3-0 SSC) started the last quarter down 60-48, but made their first 10 shots to take their first lead of the contest, 72-69 with 2:37 to go, on an old-fashioned three-point play by Taylor Buie (R-Jr., Puyallup, Wash.).
 
Still then, FIT (3-1, 1-1 SSC) regained the advantage, going up 73-72 at 1:28 after a jumper by Tiesha Flagler, a rebound on the Sharks' only miss of the quarter, and two free throws by Flagler again.
 
The Sharks' comeback wasn't to be denied, as on the next possession, Monaye Merritt (R-Sr., Philadelphia) found a cutting Katie Barnard (R-So., Granger, Ind.) for an open layup, Merritt's fifth assist of the quarter and a 74-73 lead. After Barnard blocked a Panther shot attempt on the other end and Merritt was fouled, she would make 1-of-2 free throws to extend the advantage to two at 1:02.
 
FIT had a chance to tie, but missed two free throws. However, the Sharks did the same, and following the second miss, with six seconds left, Delise Williams gathered the rebound and drove end-to-end towards the FIT hoop. There waiting was Barnard, and for the third time in the game, the Sharks' forward drew an offensive foul with just 0.4 seconds left to seal the victory.

"We had to fight very hard to finish the game," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "The fourth quarter was our best effort of the season and we need to build off that."
 
Merritt's first four assists in the last period all fed Kayla Wright (Jr., Lauderhill, Fla.) down low, with the NSU post player scoring 10 of the team's first 13. All told to start the frame, the Sharks had a 24-9 run, and would outscore the Panthers in the fourth 27-13. NSU made 11-of-12 shots (91.7 percent) to wrap the game and had nine assists to just two turnovers (five to zero for Merritt). Besides Wright's 10 in the fourth (going towards her new career high of 26 on 12-of-18 shooting), Buie had eight of her 13.
 
That duo was joined in double digits by Merritt's 10 as well as freshman Sarah Kelly (Huntington, W. Va.), who had the best game of her young career, with new bests of 10 points (3-of-3 shooting and her first career 3-point goal) and seven rebounds. Merritt's final line, to go along with her 10 points, also included tying for the team's best with seven rebounds and a game-high six assists. Barnard had the game-winning basket, and clinching blocked shot and charge taken, finishing with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting.

"Katie (Barnard) stepped up big in the second half and took three big charges," said Freeland. "Kayla (Wright) asserted her presence inside and took control of the paint. It's exciting to see players step up when needed to beat a very good team on the road."
 
Florida Tech was led by Shequana Harris with 20, but the Shark defense smothered her to 9-of-28 shooting. Flagler had 14, just 3-of-12 from the field, but went 8-of-8 from the line.
 
The Sharks next host Washburn this upcoming Friday, for a 2 p.m start at the NSU Arena.