FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern twice whittled Florida Southern's double-digit lead down to one possession, the latter coming with just 1:35 to play. However, the Sharks were unable to get over the hump, as the Moccasins held on for a 92-84 victory and the Sunshine State Conference Tournament title Sunday evening at the Rick Case Arena. Mark Matthews registered his 14^th double-double of the season with a team-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Connor Zinaich added 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Despite the defeat, head coach Jim Crutchfield's club is a shoo-in to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament bid, which will be officially announced tonight at 10:30 pm. ET.   

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Florida Southern 92, Nova Southeastern 84
Records: Florida Southern (24-7), Nova Southeastern (26-3)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1ST HALF | Nova Southeastern grabbed a slim 4-2 edge on buckets by Matthews and David Dennis in the early moments. The Sharks struggled to maintain the lead, though, as Florida Southern eventually managed to open up a 19-14 advantage near the midway point of the half. A Dwayne Gibson lay-up knotted the ball game at 19-19 at the 9:38 mark until the Mocs ripped off an 8-2 spurt, capped by the Slinky Jones triple. Trailing by six, the Sharks' deficit soon doubled before Dennis recorded the team's final four points of the half to send Nova Southeastern into the locker down 44-35.

2ND HALF | The Sharks hung within 6-8 points for a solid portion of the half. Yet, the Mocs soon stretched their lead to the largest of the night at 13 following an old-fashioned, three-point play by DeAndre Campbell. Still down 12 with 11:36 to play, both Matthews and Zinaich helped inject some life into the home crowd by fueling an 11-0 run in a span of 2:42 to pull the Sharks back to within 64-63. A timely three by Eddie Puisis kept it a one-possession game with 7:27 to go before Florida Southern responded with five unanswered points to regain some breathing room. Two free by the Mocs' Jonathan Lawton widened the margin back to 10 with a mere 2:39 showing on the clock. The Sharks maintained their poise, though, and cut the deficit back to single digits following a Dennis lay-up. After a steal by Zinaich led to a Puisis three, Dennis converted a another finish at the rim to make it a three-point contest with 1:35 left. A Florida Southern turnover on the ensuing possession gave Nova Southeastern the ball all the sudden with a chance to climb within one or even tie. However, a missed jumper, countered by a Jones three-pointer on the other end, ultimately sealed the Sharks' fate with only 38 seconds to play.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Matthews and Zinaich combined for 52 points for the second consecutive ball game. Together, the two accounted for 23 of Nova Southeastern's 34 made field goals.
• Zinaich also notched four blocks in the effort, equaling Jones for the game high.
• The Sharks were held without a three-pointer in the first half, and to a season-low three over the course of the game.
• Nova Southeastern's last lead of the contest came with 18:27 remaining in the first half.
• Dennis finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while playing all 40 minutes.
• Gibson gave the Sharks four players in double figures by tallying 11 points to go along with seven rebounds.
• Lawton led all scorers in the game with 28 points, including a perfect 12-of-12 performance at the foul line.
• The Sharks received just six points from their bench, all coming from Puisis.

UP NEXT:
The postseason picture will become more clear when the 64-team field is announced tonight at 10:30 p.m. For complete coverage, visit NCAA.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.