FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team (8-5) fell to the Embry-Riddle Eagles (9-3) on Friday at the NSU Arena, by a score of 57-53. The loss is the first for the Sharks in the series history, with the Eagles only in the third year of the program's history.

The Eagles took a 6-4 lead midway through the first quarter and would go on to hold that lead for the rest of the game. The Sharks trailed 15-10 at the end of the initial frame, shooting just 26.7% from the field.

Embry-Riddle continued to build their lead in the second period, getting it into double digits before an Amanda Tivenius layup brought the game to its halftime score of 32-23.

ERAU pushed the margin back into double-digit territory for much of the third, when they led by as many as 13. A foul as time expired on the frame sent Maria Bardeeva to the line on the otherwise empty court to return the Sharks' deficit once again to nine points, at 44-35.

The Sharks made the game interesting again in the final period, not allowing the Eagles to score until 5:34 in. This allowed the Sharks to start the quarter on a run of 8-0 and cut the margin to just one point, 44-43. Embry-Riddle responded with five in a row, however, before back-to-back '3's by Megan Piggott – the team's only two of the game – and a Christen Prasse layup made the score 54-53, a one-point game once again. The Sharks unable to score again, though, while the Eagles made 3-of-4 at the line to secure the game.

Prasse led the team with 14 points, while Piggott scored 11, her fifth straight game in double digits. Katie Barnard returned after missing four games due to injury and recorded two points, two rebounds, a block and a steal in 23 minutes in a starting role. Cheray Saunders collected six steals to match the team's single-game high this season, previously set by Prasse against Concordia-Portland in the Seattle-Pacific Classic two weeks ago.

The Sharks will turn the calendar by returning to Sunshine State Conference play, traveling to Saint Leo, Fla. to take on the Saint Leo Lions on Wednesday, Jan. 4. For complete coverage, visit NSUSharks.com.