DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bridie McCann scored 22 points, Celeste Reed added a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, and the 19th-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks took down the Auburn-Montgomery Warhawks 91-63 in the season-opener for both teams at the SSC-GSC Crossover Classic. Kaliyah Morales and Markayla Holland added 14 points and 10 points, respectively, for the Sharks, who forced a flurry of turnovers during the decisive second quarter to blow the game open. 



SCORE: #19 Nova Southeastern 91 | Auburn-Montgomery 63
RECORDS: #19 Nova Southeastern (1-0, 0-0 SSC), | Auburn Montgomery (0-1, 0-0 GSC)
LOCATION: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
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First Half -  NSU opened the game with a 9-2 scoring run, thanks to three baskets from Reed and a three-pointer from McCann. AUM narrowed the deficit to 9-6 going into the first media timeout after a basket and two free throws. NSU's aggressiveness put AUM at the free line early; the Warhawks shot 8-8 from the charity stripe, but NSU still led 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.

NSU created some separation in the decisive second quarter with a flurry of scores, forcing turnovers and stretching the lead to double digits. The Sharks reeled off 11 points in a row, off the strength of two free throws from Reed, and then three consecutive three-pointers from Morales, McCann, and Morales again. The Sharks went up by as many as 20, holding the Warhawks to just 11 second-quarter points, and NSU went into the locker rooms up 43-25. 

Second Half - The Sharks carried their momentum over to the second half, continuing to apply pressure defensively and force turnovers. NSU held AUM to just four made field goals and 33 percent shooting in the third quarter, while hitting 11 of 17 field goal attempts themselves and outscoring the Warhawks 26-18.

The fourth quarter was more of the same, as the Sharks outscored the Warhawks again and continued forcing turnovers. For the game, NSU scored 42 points off turnovers and recorded 19 fast break points, while outscoring AUM in the paint 40-28. The Sharks stretched the lead to as many as 30 points and ultimately finished the Warhawks off, 91-63.




Bridie McCann: 22 points (8/15 FG, 4/8 3P), five rebounds
Celeste Reed: 16 points (6/10 FG), 10 rebounds
Kaliyah Morales: 14 points
Markayla Holland: 10 points



The Sharks will be back in action tomorrow at 11 am against Montevallo, as the SSC-GSC Crossover Classic continues at the ICI Center. To stay up to date on Sharks Women's Basketball, follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_WBasketball.