ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Nick Smith recorded a game-high 25 points, while RJ Sunahara notched his fifth double-double of the season, as No. 5 Nova Southeastern broke a tied ball game at the half en route to a decisive 93-78 road victory at Eckerd on Saturday. The Sharks dominated the offensive glass throughout, and were able to limit the Tritons to just 38.5 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes to collect their eighth consecutive win overall.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 5 Nova Southeastern 93, Eckerd 78
Records: No. 5 Nova Southeastern (18-2, 12-2 SSC), Eckerd (7-15, 3-11 SSC)
Location: McArthur Center | St. Petersburg, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1^st Half | Despite forcing 10 turnovers in the first half, the Sharks allowed Eckerd to hit 65.4 percent of its attempts from the field, and fell behind 14-6 following an 8-0 spurt by the Tritons. A quick 6-0 response, though, including a Matt Weir step-back jumper, pulled NSU back to with two at the 13:11 mark. A Smith jumper knotted the contest at 16-16 before the Sharks grabbed their first lead of the night after a Sunahara putback. The margin stretched to six thanks to another Sunahara finish when Jake Maranville drilled his first of two three-pointers to push the advantage to 30-22. Another Maranville trey extended the lead to its largest of the half at 39-28. Yet, the Tritons would respond with three consecutive triples as part of a 13-2 run over the final 4:11 to send both sides into the break tied at 41-41.

2^nd Half | As was the case in Wednesday's win over Rollins, Mikkel Kolstad overcame a slow start to the contest by heating up from beyond the arc in the second half. Two straight makes from deep pushed NSU's advantage to 47-43. Four straight points for the Tritons made it a tie ball game once again until a Sunahara score capped a 9-0 run to give the Sharks some breathing room. The lead hit a dozen following Kolstad's fourth three just over eight minutes into the half before rising to 16 after a Mark Matthews finish plus the foul with 6:53 remaining. Eckerd would narrow the gap only to as close as 13 points down the stretch, leaving way for Connor Zinaich to put the exclamation point on the victory with a two-handed slam in the final moments.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• NSU never trailed over the final 30:53 on Saturday.
• The Sharks have now won each of their last three trips to the McArthur Center.

STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• Matthews (17) and Kolstad (14) joined both Smith and Sunahara to give the Sharks four players in double figures.
• NSU committed only six turnovers in the ball game.
• NSU took advantage on the inside Saturday, outscoring Eckerd 25-12 in second-chance points while holding a 44-32 advantage in points in the paint.
• The Sharks shot all 16 of their free throws in the second half, converting 11 of their attempts.

UP NEXT:
NSU will look to avenge an earlier loss when it welcomes Lynn to the Rick Case Arena next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.