FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –
Mark Matthews and
Lukas Speidel each registered 24 points apiece to lead seven players in double figures, as newly top-ranked Nova Southeastern cruised Wednesday night en route to a 134-95 victory against Ave Maria. Behind a program-record 69.2 percent shooting, the Sharks topped the 100-point mark for the fourth time already this year, and have now started at least 6-0 in each of head coach
Jim Crutchfield's first three seasons at the helm.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 134, Ave Maria 95
Records: No. 1
Nova Southeastern (6-0), Ave Maria (10-2)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MBasketball | Instagram - @NSU_MBasketball
HOW IT HAPPENED:
1
st Half | The NSU offense proved to be a well-oiled machine on Wednesday, most notably in the first half when the Sharks connected on a ridiculous 80.5 percent (33-of-41) of their attempts from the floor. With made baskets by six different players, the Sharks opened 8-of-9 from the field to grab a 17-8 advantage less than four minutes into the contest. An
Eddie Puisis three-pointer later capped an extended 21-7 run, as the lead grew to 23 near the midway point of the half. NSU topped 50 points still with 8:29 remaining on a
Mikkel Kolstad jumper before a Puisis jumper stretched the margin to 30 with under three minutes to go. A late lay-in by Speidel handed the Sharks their largest cushion of the half at 35, as they entered the locker room well in command in front 77-46. NSU finished with 52 points in the paint in the first half, 10 more than the Gyrenes racked up for the entire ball game.
2
nd Half |
Nick Smith carried the offensive onslaught into the second half by scoring two of his 18 points on the opening possession. A quick six points by Speidel in span of 40 seconds kept the Sharks firmly in front by 38 when Puisis drilled another trey to put NSU over the century mark still with 14:22 showing on the clock. Ave Maria had no answer for either Matthews or Speidel, as together both shot a combined 21-of-24 on the night. Matthews converted an easy two at the 7:06 mark before exiting for good with 4:58 left in the contest. Two final free throws by
Jake Maranville eventually put the finishing touches on the victory, leaving way for the Sharks to dribble out the clock in the final moments.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- For the second consecutive ball game, Matthews finished just three assists shy of a triple-double, collecting his third double-double of the season in the process.
- The Sharks received 65 points from their bench in the effort, including a combined 29 from Maranville and Puisis to go along with Speidel's 24.
UP NEXT:
NSU will continue its five-game homestand this Saturday at 4 p.m. when Rollins comes to town. The Sharks swept the season series against the Tars by an average of 28.0 points per game in 2018-19. For complete coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.
