FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -  For the 40^th consecutive game, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks Men's Basketball team emerged victorious, as the top-ranked Sharks defeated the Bluefield State Big Blue 110-86 on Sunday afternoon from the Rick Case Arena. GianFranco Grafals led the Sharks in the effort, scoring a game-high 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his double-double of the season.

Under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks have now won 46 consecutive contests at the Rick Case Arena dating back to February 26, 2020. The victory also broke the NCAA Division II record for consecutive regular season wins, as the Sharks won their 56th straight contest in the regular season. 


Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 4-0 | Bluefield State 1-5
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 110 | Bluefield State 86
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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First Half – Bluefield State and Nova Southeastern, playing a similar full-court press defense, grinded through most of the first half, as the score was tied 7-7 at the 15 minute mark. Nearing the midway mark of the opening frame, Bluefield State went into the under eight minutes media timeout with a 32-24 advantage. Following the brief break, the Sharks rallied for a 9-1 run, tying the score at 33-33, after a layup from Shane Hunter. Nova Southeastern went on an 8-0 run, taking a 46-40 lead over Bluefield State – the Sharks received points from GianFranco Grafals, Ryan Davis, Isaiah Fuller and Hunter during the rally. NSU went into the halftime break leading 52-48 over Bluefield State.

Second Half – After halftime, the Sharks came out with a 6-0 run, as MJ Iraldi and Grafals scored, putting NSU in front 58-48 and forcing BSU to use a timeout. Grafals knocked down a three-pointer and pushed the lead to 64-50. Just before the 10-minute mark in the second half Grafals added two more points to his ledger, extending the lead to 81-62. Bluefield State did not go away, going on a 16-3 run and put the score at 86-78 with just over six minutes remaining. NSU responded with a 14-3 run, putting the score at 100-81, before ending the Sharks 40^th consecutive win by a score of 110-86.


GIanFranco Grafals: 25 points, 10-18 FG, 11 rebounds
Shane Hunter: 24 points, 10-14 FG, nine rebounds, three blocks
Isaiah Fuller: 16 points, six assists, three rebounds
Crashing the offensive glass was a difference maker in the contest, as the Sharks scored 24 points off of second chances and collected 26 offensive rebounds.
NSU dominated inside the paint, outscoring Bluefield State 76-34.


No. 1 Nova Southeastern begins Sunshine State Conference Action on Wednesday, November 29^th, taking on Lynn from the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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