FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The run of overtime wins for Nova Southeastern finally came to an end Wednesday night at the Rick Case Arena. Having won all four of its previous overtime contests to date this season, the Sharks stormed all the way back from 17 points down, yet came up just short in a 90-86 defeat in Sunshine State Conference action against Lynn. David Dennis forced the extra session with a lay-in in the final moments of regulation. Two back-breaking, three-point buckets by the Fighting Knights in overtime would prove to be the difference, though, sending head coach Jim Crtuchfield's bunch to its second straight loss.   
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Lynn 90, Nova Southeastern 86 (OT)
Records: Lynn (10-8, 7-5), Nova Southeastern (12-6, 6-6 SSC)
Location: The Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1^st Half | Nova Southeastern appeared as if it would be run out of its own gym after falling behind 19-4 just over eight minutes into the ball game. The deficit would later grow to 31-14 until six straight points gave the Sharks a bit of life. A lay-in by Malik Hardy followed by three Pat Huffine free throws cut the margin to single-digits in the final minute of the half before Nova Southeastern eventually entered the locker room trailing 40-30. The Sharks remained within striking distance despite shooting just 36.7 percent from the floor, including 1-of-11 from beyond the arc.

2^nd Half | The Sharks carried their late momentum from the first half into the start of the second, and climbed to within five at the 15:00 mark on a Dennis bucket. However, Lynn failed to wilt and kept its cushion just above double-digits until a quick 7-1 spurt pulled Nova Southeastern back to within 61-56. A timely triple by Hardy with 5:19 left in regulation made it a one-point ball game, the closest the Sharks had been since the opening tip. Nova Southeastern kept itself within one possession when Dwayne Gibson evened things up at 72-72 with 2:12 to go. Ryan Peterson's free throws put the Fighting Knights back ahead with just 40 seconds showing on the clock. Yet, as he has all season long, Mr. Dennis showed up in crunch time and converted the contested drive at the rim to knot the score back at 76-76. A late steal by Hardy would even give the Sharks a chance to close the contest out in regulation, but two last-second attempts missed off the mark as both teams headed for five more minutes.  

OT | Both sides remained locked up at 80-80 following a Dennis lay-in. However, after regaining the lead on a free throw, Lynn then capitalized on a Nova Southeastern turnover by hitting a three to stretch its advantage back to 84-80. Another triple gave the Fighting Knights an 87-81 edge with under a minute left. Still, the Sharks kept their poise and clawed their way back down just two on a Huffine put-back. Hardy would then steal the inbound before the ball wound up in the hands of Isaac White for an open look for the go-ahead three. The attempt missed off the back of the rim, though, allowing Lynn to salt game away at the line.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Wednesday's setback now drops Nova Southeastern to 10-3 this season at home.
• The Sharks are now 4-2 in games decided by four points or less.

 STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• Hardy finished with a team-high 22 points, while Dennis added 18 points and eight assists.
• Huffine's 15 points matched a career high set back on Dec. 18, 2016 against Point.
• Lynn had six players score in double figures Wednesday, including all five starters.
• Gerard Tarin tallied seven points in his return from a brief, two-game absence.

UP NEXT:
NSU will hope to climb back above .500 in league play when it travels to face Tampa this Saturday at  4 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball or visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.