SAINT LEO, Fla. – Nova Southeastern started a bit slow, but by game's end showed why it's ranked No. 2 in the nation, as the Sharks imposed their will in the second half en route to an eventual 92-77 road win at Saint Leo on Saturday night. RJ Sunahara led five players in double figures with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, while Mark Matthews notched his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 boards in the effort. The 5-0 start for the Sharks is now their third in as many seasons under head coach Jim Crutchfield.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 92, Saint Leo 77
Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern (5-0, 2-0 SSC), Saint Leo (6-4, 1-2 SSC)
Location: Marion Bowman Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MBasketball | Instagram - @NSU_MBasketball

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1^st Half | Saint Leo's guard Kyran McClure needed just 5:58 to tally 13 points, pushing the Lions out to a 22-13 advantage. However, an apparent ankle injury sidelined the point guard for the rest of the night, allowing the Sharks to take advantage. A shot off the glass in transition by Lukas Speidel pulled NSU even at 27-27 before the Sharks grabbed a slim 30-29 advantage following a three-pointer by the sophomore on the ensuing possession. A Saint Leo lay-up with 3:56 to go kept the Lions in front by four until NSU gathered some late momentum, closing the half on an 11-2 run to head into the break on top 47-42. Needing just 12 minutes off the bench to do so, Connor Zinaich paced the Sharks with 11 points off the bench,

2^nd Half | Building off the strong finish to the first half, NSU seized the momentum to start the second half by building their lead to a dozen on a three by Matt Weir with 17:10 remaining. A Sunahara lay-up stretched the cushioned to 15, which is where it remained following a Sunahara trey just 43 seconds later. The lead grew to as many as 18 on a Matthew finish at the 8:11 mark. The Lions would capture a glimmer of hope, though, after narrowing the gap to 11 with 5:53 to play. Mikkel Kolstad would erase the thought of a comeback, however, with one of his four three's on the ensuing possession, as the Sharks coasted to the decisive victory.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Sharks have now beaten the Lions in each of the past six meetings in the series.
• NSU remains the only unbeaten team in Sunshine State Conference play.

 STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• NSU owned the glass on Saturday, outrebounding Saint Leo by a 40-28 margin. Matthews and Sunahara accounted for 23 of the Sharks' 40 boards in the win.
• Ziniach finished with 13 points in just 19 minutes in his first action of the season.

UP NEXT:
NSU will look to remain unbeaten when it welcomes Ave Maria to the Rick Case Arena on Dec. 11. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.