FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No.1 Nova Southeastern Men's Basketball team finished its undefeated regular season - for the second consecutive season - on Saturday afternoon, defeating Embry-Riddle 98-90. In a tense, back-and-forth affair, the Sharks were led by 23 points from Will Yoakum, 20 points from Jonathan Pierre and 17 points from Dallas Graziani in the Sunshine State Conference win. Prior to the game, NSU Athletics honored two seniors, as Lukas Speidel and Will Yoakum celebrated their senior days.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: Nova Southeastern 27-0, 20-0 SSC | Embry-Riddle 17-10, 10-10 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 98, Embry-Riddle 90
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half – Dallas Graziani was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three shots from the stripe to open the scoring for the Sharks. Jake Maranville got hot and scored five consecutive points that gave NSU an 11-10 advantage with just over 17 minutes remaining. As the Embry-Riddle took the lead 17-21, a 12-0 Sharks run led by RJ Sunahara and Will Yoakum helped NSU regain its lead, 29-21 with just over nine minutes remaining. The Eagles went on a 7-0 run, but a free throw from Sunahara and putback layup from Jonathan Pierre extended the Sharks' lead to 32-28. Embry-Riddle gained the momentum, taking a 39-36 lead before a Yoakum layup made it a one-point game. The Sharks and Eagles continued going back-and-forth throughout the first half, but the Sharks would go into halftime trailing 44-47.
Second Half – Speidel and Yoakum took over to start the second half, with the duo combining for all 10 of NSU's points to open the half. A steal and fast-break layup from Maranville extended the Sharks' advantage to 56-52 with 17 minutes remaining. As Embry-Riddle got hot, Speidel and Graziani both made layups that made it 62-64. Yoakum made three consecutive free throws, Graziani made a layup and Pierre made a three-ball that tied the game 70-70 with 7 and half minutes remaining. The Sharks regained its lead after Yoakum made a pair of free throws and Pierre knocked in a mid-range off the inbound, 76-72. Graziani caught fire and extended NSU's lead to 85-79 with a contested three-pointer with just over three minutes to play. Pierre hit a tough, contested shot with 2:25 left that gave Nova Southeastern an 87-82 advantage. Graziani drove in, took contact and made a strong layup that put the Sharks up 90-84 with just over a minute remaining. Pierre and Yoakum each hit a pair of clutch free throws that iced the game, assisting in the Sharks defeating the Eagles 98-90.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
- Four Sharks reached double-figures: Yoakum (23), Pierre (20), Graziani (17) and Sunahara (10).
- Pierre now has five 20+ point performances and is averaging 16.4 points over the last eight games.
- Graziani has scored 17+ points five times this season.
- Yoakum is averaging 22 points per game over the last four games.
- NSU has now won 40 consecutive Sunshine State Conference games, dating back to the 2021-22 season.
UPCOMING
The Sharks will return to the court on Tuesday, February 28 taking on the Barry Bucaneers in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Quarterfinals. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
