FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Freshman
Kobe Rodgers banked in a short jumper at the buzzer of regulation before No. 5 Nova Southeastern eventually outlasted Virginia Union 93-88 in overtime Sunday at the Rick Case Arena. The Sharks trailed by two with 0.4 seconds remaining prior to the drama, yet capitalized off the open inbounds look from underneath their basket. Rodgers finished with a season-high 15 points in the effort, while
Sekou Sylla produced a monster, 31-point, 14-rebound double-double to help NSU remain perfect at 10-0 heading into the holiday break.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 5 Nova Southeastern 93, Virginia Union 88 (OT)
Records: No. 5
Nova Southeastern (10-0), Virginia Union (8-3)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MBasketball | Instagram - @NSU_MBasketball
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Prior to Sunday, NSU had yet to have a game decided by less than 11 points.
- The Sharks' 93-point output snaps their previous four-game streak with 100-plus points.
- Sunday's contest marked the first overtime game for the Sharks since beating Florida Southern 111-103 back on Jan. 4, 2020.
- Sylla notched his sixth double-double in just 10 games this season.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Joining both Rodgers and Sylla in double figures were RJ Sunahara (18 points), Eddie Puisis (12) and Nick Smith (12).
- Smith tallied six of his 12 in the overtime session. The nation's leader in assists added seven helpers in the effort.
- Puisis connected on three of NSU's six three-pointers, while also collecting a game-high six steals.
- The Sharks nearly cost themselves after shooting just 19-of-33 from the free throw line.
- Forcing 31 turnovers on Sunday, the Sharks have now turned their opponents 30-plus times in six of the past seven games.
UP NEXT:
NSU will have nearly two weeks off until a pivotal Sunshine State Conference road matchup at No. 19 Barry on Dec. 31. For complete coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.
