SAINT LEO, Fla. – No. 2 Nova Southeastern, in their first contest since clinching the Sunshine State Conference regular season title, handled Saint Leo, defeating the Lions 109-84 in SSC play. Kobe Rodgers led NSU to their 23^rd consecutive win, scoring 20 points and recording seven steals.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 23-0, 16-0 SSC | Saint Leo 18-9, 9-7 SSC
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 109, Saint Leo 84
Location: Marion Bowman Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half – NSU wasted no time getting out to an early 11-3 lead, featuring seven points from Rodgers. Back-to-back three pointers from Jonathan Pierre and Kobe Rodgers put the Sharks ahead 26-8.  At the midway point of the opening half, following a three-point bucket from Graziani, Nova Southeastern was doubling up the Lions, 34-17. Saint Leo rallied for a 14-3 run, cutting the Sharks lead to 37-31 with less than four minutes left in the first half. Nova Southeastern closed the half on a 13-4 run of their own, heading into the break leading 50-35.

Second Half – Nova Southeastern continued their momentum in the early moments of the second half, as Tomas Murphy knocked down a three-pointer to put NSU ahead 62-41. The Sharks defense made its impact felt, as both Will Yoakum and Dallas Graziani recorded steals, setting up two consecutive emphatic dunks, before Lukas Speidel added a bucket and put NSU ahead 83-52. Nova Southeastern surpassed 100-points with over six minutes remaining in the contest and closed out the 109-84 against the Lions.

STATS OF THE NIGHT
Five Sharks scored in double-digits – Rodgers (20), Jonathan Pierre (17), Will Yoakum (15), Dallas Graziani (14), and Tomas Murphy (13)

UPCOMING
No. 2 Nova Southeastern, the only remaining undefeated team across NCAA Division I and II, returns to the Shark Tank to host Barry on Wednesday, February 15. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.