FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team allowed their historically stingy defense to take control in their 62-48 win over the Rollins Tars at the NSU Arena on Wednesday evening. With the victory, the Sharks improve to 10-6 overall and 6-2 in Sunshine State Conference play, while the Tars' record falls to 8-6 overall and 3-4 in conference.
Rollins took an early 5-4 lead, following an old-fashioned three-point play, but it would be the Tars' first, last and only lead, as the Sharks regained control just over a minute later, going on a 10-0 run, and would allow one tie the rest of the game. Both teams struggled to get their shot right in the opening frame, but the Sharks' stifling defense would prove to be the difference, forcing nine Rollins turnovers. They also made sure to make the most of their free points, hitting 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.
The Tars scored the first seven points of the second quarter to even the score at 16-all, but
Megan Piggott quickly hit a 3-pointer to give the Sharks the lead they would hang on to for the rest of the night. NSU ended the first half on a 12-2 run, with a trey by
Samantha Logan the last score before the break, and putting the Sharks ahead by double digits for the first time, at 34-23.
Despite holding the Sharks to just 2-of-13 from the field in the third, the Tars were unable to cut deep into the lead, only getting as close as five points. They committed seven fouls, and the Sharks took full advantage of their alternative opportunities to score, making all eight of their free throws. As such, it was still an eight-point margin in favor of NSU entering the final period, 47-39.
The Sharks brought their A-game defense back for the final frame, allowing just nine points on 2-of-12 field goal shooting, while forcing eight Rollins turnovers. The Sharks led by double digits for all but the first two minutes of the period, pushing their lead as high as 15 points, before ending the game with their 14-point margin of victory.
Christen Prasse led the team with 14 points on 5-of-12 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and filled out the rest of her stat sheet nicely, with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. She was joined in double digits by
Katie Barnard, who reached the threshold for the first time since scoring a career-high 16 against Valdosta State on the opening day of the NSU-hosted Thanksgiving Classic. Barnard, in a reserve role, scored 11 points on a career-high seven free throws out of eight attempts, while bringing down five rebounds and corralling a career- and team-high four steals in her most definitive performance in her four games since returning after missing four games due to injury.
Samantha Logan collected 10 rebounds coming off the bench for the first time as a Shark, her ninth game out of 16 with a double-digit rebounding total.
The 48 points that the Sharks held Rollins to was well below their season average of 69.0 and matched their lowest output in a game this season, while their 26 turnovers forced are well above their average of 16.8 per game and marks their highest total all season.
After a weekend off, the Sharks will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they travel to St. Petersburg, Fla. and take on the Eckerd Tritons. For complete coverage, visit NSUSharks.com.
