FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A complete team effort from the Nova Southeastern Women's Basketball team propelled the Sharks to an impressive victory over the number eight ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas on Thursday Afternoon from the Rick Case Arena. Double-digit efforts from Corina Conley (17), Aubrey Stupp (15), and Jess Moors (11) led the way for NSU.
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 72, No. 8 Pittsburg State 63
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 8-2, 2-1 SSC, Pittsburg State 9-2, 2-0 MIAA
LOCATION: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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First Half—The first few minutes of the game were toughly fought as the Gorillas got off to an early 8-2 lead. Then, Corina Conley hit a timely three for the Sharks to cut Pitt State's advantage to three points. Pittsburg State grew their lead back up to nine but Aubrey Stupp made her presence felt, scoring a quick five points in the last minute to make it a 20-14 first-quarter lead for the Gorillas. The second quarter featured a shift for NSU as Madison Cloonan, Corina Conley, and Mercedes Simmons began to assert their dominance as they led a 15-4 run to help put the Sharks ahead 31-28 heading into the break.
Second Half - The Sharks got off to a hot start in the second half, going on a 9-2 run to build their lead to 10. Pitt State answered with a 10-2 run of their own to cut thei deficit back down to two. Shortly after, Jess Moors was able to draw contact and get to the foul line, knocking down both free throws to put the Sharks back up four. Moors and Kailyn Terrell then hit a couple big threes to extend NSU's Sharks lead back to nine.The Sharks held onto a 51-45 advantage heading into the final frame. The final quarter featured a back-and-forth affair between both teams. With under five minutes remaining in the game, Corina Conley came alive in the fourth quarter as she sparked the Sharks to her own 8-2 run to help grow their lead to six. In the final 2:30 NSU clamped down defensively, not allowing Pitt State to score another point for the remainder of the game and ultimately securing Nova Southeastern's big victory over Pittsburg State, 72-63.
Corina Conley - 17 points, four 3PM
Aubrey Stupp - 15 points
Jess Moors - 11 points, two steals
Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry - Our players earned a big win today. Pitt State is a great program in a great league. I'm proud of our overall effort and toughness. Our trust in each other was evident throughout the game and what we continue to build together.
Corina Conley - I'm proud of our team today and how we battled!! We played an extremely talented team and stuck together the entire time. It was so fun to be apart of such an amazing win. We're excited and ready to get back after it tomorrow.
Nova Southeastern will return to the Rick Case Arena to close out the NSU Holiday Invitational on Friday, December 20th, for a home matchup against Northwest Missouri State University. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM.
