FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Game No. 13 proved to be unlucky for fourth-ranked Nova Southeastern, as the Sharks suffered their first loss of the season by way of a 78-75 overtime defeat Wednesday night against Eckerd. The Sharks never trailed until the extra session, and even led by a bucket, until the Tritons' Myron Hagins drilled the go-ahead three-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to spring the upset. Mark Matthews and Connor Zinaich each collected double-doubles in the effort, yet a season-high 22 turnovers and a 6-of-13 performance from the foul line came back to bite head coach Jim Crutchfield's club.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Eckerd 78, Nova Southeastern 75 (OT)
Records: Eckerd (11-3, 4-2 SSC), Nova Southeastern (12-1, 6-1 SSC)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
1ST HALF | Despite 10 turnovers and a pedestrian 45.7 percent shooting percentage, Nova Southeastern held a steady grasp on much of the first half. A Dwayne Gibson trey on a feed from David Dennis handed the Sharks an early 12-6 edge just over four minutes into the ball game. The contest remained within six points until a Zinaich lay-in extended the margin to 26-18 with 6:24 to play. A basket by Hagins trimmed the lead back to six with less than a minute showing on the clock. However, a driving finish by Gibson on the Sharks' final possession gave them a bit of extra momentum, and a 39-31 advantage entering the locker room.  

2ND HALF | Nova Southeastern allowed just one made field goal in the first 4:26 of the second half, opening up a 12-point cushion as a result. A deep three by Eddie Puisis kept the Sharks up by nine, which is where the lead would stay after Mikkel Kolstad connected on a triple at the 9:42 mark. However, unlike many of the Sharks' opponents this season, Eckerd never allowed the game to get completely out of reach. Even after Puisis drained his third three of the night to put Nova Southeastern back up by double-digits, the Tritons didn't crumble. In fact, Eckerd held the Sharks scoreless over the final 3:58 of regulation and used two late Drushaun McLaurn free throws to force overtime.

OVERTIME | Eckerd grabbed its first lead of the night 18 seconds into overtime on a tough finish by Marco Behori in the lane. Still down two with 1:19 to go, Matthews converted a pass from Dennis for a lay-up plus the foul. The redshirt-junior would miss the free throw, though, keeping the contest knotted at 73-73. Nova Southeastern stepped up defensively, forcing a stop, before Zinaich earned his way to the line for a pair on the other end. The Sharks' leading scorer would calmly sink both to help Nova Southeastern regain a 75-73 edge. The next time down the court, however, Behori drew the defense into the lane, allowing Hagins to pop out at the top of the key for a wide open look from the beyond the arc. The Sharks would look to respond on the ensuing possession, but Zinaich was whistled for a charge with only 20 seconds remaining. Following two made free throws by Eckerd's Marquis Gilbert, Nova Southeastern needed a three in crunch time. A look for Matthews from the wing would miss off the mark, though, allowing the Tritons to escape with the victory.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks will look to bounce back on Saturday when it welcomes Tampa to the Rick Case Arena. Nova Southeastern swept Tampa a year ago by an average of 16.5 points in its two meetings. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball or visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.