FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the second time in program history, the Nova Southeastern men's basketball team is headed to the Elite Eight after earning the NCAA South Region Tournament title in thrilling fashion on Tuesday. Similar to Sunday's Round of 32 ball game, the Sharks faced an early double-digit deficit – this time trailing by as many as 13.  Once again, though, the Sharks displayed toughness and a unique will to battle back, finally grabbing the lead with 2:52 remaining before holding on for a 71-68 victory over third-seeded Embry-Riddle.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 71, Embry-Riddle 68
Records: Nova Southeastern (31-0), Embry-Riddle (24-10)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MBasketball | Instagram - @NSU_MBasketball

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1^st Half | Contrary to what the NSU faithful is accustomed to watching, the Sharks were forced to play much more a halfcourt, grind-it-out game on Tuesday. At least early on, that definitely favored the Eagles. NSU led 9-7 following a Sekou Sylla lay-up with 16:18 remaining. However, the Sharks faced an uphill battle for nearly the rest of the game. As a part of a 12-2 run, ERAU All-American Romeo Crouch threw down a dunk to give the Eagles a 28-15 advantage at the 7:27 mark. Needing some sort of spark, NSU received one from an unlikely source in freshman Jonathan Pierre. Scoring eight points during the stretch, Pierre ignited a 14-0 NSU spurt to help the Sharks regain a 29-28 edge with 3:31 to go before the break. The Eagles would answer right back, though, with two three-pointers to quiet the sold-out crowd, eventually taking a 36-33 lead into the locker room.

2^nd Half | In the midst of a notable 17-point, 15-rebound double-double, ERAU's Chris Murray recorded two consecutive buckets to begin the half to extend the Eagles' advantage to 40-33. Another Pierre triple would allow the Sharks to hang within one possession with 14:48 to play, yet the deficit ballooned back to nine just moments later. Finally getting one to go, Eddie Puisis connected from beyond the arc to pull NSU back to within three as the Sharks continued to hang around until a Sylla jumper and back-to-back finishes by RJ Sunahara finally allowed NSU to pull ahead 65-63 with 2:52 showing on the clock. A Crouch jumper with under a minute left knotted the score at 68-68, yet Nick Smith and Puisis would each split a pair at the line to make it a 70-68 ball game with just 13 seconds remaining. As Smith gambled on a steal on the ensuing possession, Crouch earned a clean look from three. Lucky for the Sharks, though, the attempt missed off the left side of the iron as NSU was able to hold on.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Sharks have now won the NCAA South Region twice within the last four years.
• Tuesday marked NSU's third win over Embry-Riddle.

STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• After struggling in Sunday's Round of 32 contest, Sylla responded in a big way, finishing with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
• Sunahara registered 15 points and four blocked shots.
• NSU turned the ball over just nine times in the effort.

UP NEXT:
NSU will head to Evansville, Ind. for the Elite Eight, set to begin on Tues., Mar. 22. The final eight teams will all be re-seeded prior to matchups being revealed. To stay up-to-date with the Sharks, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_MBasketball.