FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Hosting its fourth ranked opponent of the 2018-19 season, the Nova Southeastern women's basketball team fell at the hands of No. 4 Drury on Sunday afternoon in the Rick Case Arena.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
FINAL: L, 63-86
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern University Sharks (5-4) vs. No. 4 Drury (10-0)
LOCATION: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.   
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
1ST QUARTER | Back-to-back buckets by the Panthers quickly gave them a 4-0 lead, one they would never relinquish. A three by Claire McMahon at the 5:37 mark sparked a 9-5 run by the Sharks to bring them within four, 11-15. NSU was able to cut the deficit to four points again at the 18 second mark with a pair of free throws by Alison Hughes, but Drury was able to extend their lead out to six heading into the second quarter.
 
2ND QUARTER | An 8-5 run to start the second quarter by the Panthers gave them their largest advantage so far of the game, 37-26, before the Sharks started to chip away at their lead. With 1:17 left before the half, a three-pointer by McMahon cut the deficit down to six, 39-33, before Drury netted five unanswered points to take a 44-33 edge into the break.
 
3RD QUARTER | The Panthers started to pull away in the third quarter, grabbing a 17-point lead half way through. Only four baskets were made in the remaining five minutes, with four turnovers forced by each team. Down to the buzzer, Cheray Saunders drained a three to bring the score to 63-48 with one frame left.
 
4TH QUARTER | McMahon recorded the first two baskets of the quarter, starting with a layup and then a shot from deep, followed immediately with a trey by Hughes to keep the Sharks within 15, 71-56. Drury then took off on a 9-0 run, earning their largest lead of the game at 80-56. The Sharks were able to outscore DU 7-6 in the 4:41 remaining, but the scoreboard was not in NSU's favor as Drury ended up on top, 86-63.
 
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• The Sharks had three players score in double digits, with McMahon leading the way with her 17 points. She also recorded six rebounds, five defensive, two assists and one block.
• Hailey Conley and Hughes each tallied 10 points apiece, with Conley adding two rebounds and two assists and Hughes contributing three assists. Hughes was a perfect four-of-four at the line and Conley was also perfect from the field, 3-of-3.
• Mikayla Thompson chipped in nine points with two blocks.
• In her first game back since the 2017-18 season, Christen Prasse brought down six boards with four assists.
• Saunders and Iva Ilic also recorded four assists each.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Prasse and McMahon's six assists were a shared team-high.
• Tonight's 13 free throws made were the most tallied by the Sharks since NSU joined the NCAA.
• Today was the first time since Feb. 6, 2008 (vs. Tampa) that Nova Southeastern was 100 percent from the charity stripe. 

 
UP NEXT:
 
The Sharks will continue non-conference play on Tuesday, hosting Concordia (Ore.). Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
 
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_WBasketball.