FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Bridie McCann dropped 29 points and five three-pointers, and the #11 Nova Southeastern Sharks outlasted #9 Embry-Riddle 65-57 on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks held the Eagles to just seven points in the decisive fourth quarter and moved to 9-0 on the season.



Score: #11 Nova Southeastern 65 | Embry-Riddle 57
Records: #11 Nova Southeastern 9-0 (3-0 SSC) | Embry-Riddle 5-1 (1-1 SSC) 
Location: Crutchfield Court at Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram and Twitter/X - NSUW_Basketball



The Eagles jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first quarter, capped by an and-one at the 8:36 mark. The Sharks countered with a 7-4 mini-run, capped by a three-pointer from Kaliyah Morales, and they trailed 11-8 at the media timeout. The Eagles hit a baseline jumper to go up 17-8, forcing an NSU timeout at the 2:54 mark. The Sharks again countered with a 9-1 run of their own, thanks to three consecutive threes from McCann, Taydra Simpson and Simpson again. The Eagles led 18-17 at the end of the first quarter. 

McCann tied the score at 25 in the second quarter with another three-pointer, but the Eagles went back up 27-25 at the media timeout. McCann later tied the game at 31 on a layup at the 1:05 mark. The Eagles knocked down three free throws, but Mattair came up with a steal, and Markayla Holland was fouled on the ensuing possession. She split her free throws, but the Eagles held a 34-32 halftime lead. 

The Sharks opened the third quarter with a quick flurry of scores, after a jumper from Hailey Chiles and a steal and score from McCann to tie the game at 36. The Eagles drew consecutive charges, but Celeste Reed drew a foul and hit two free throws to tie the game at 38. However, the Eagles responded with an and-one from Mary Lengemann. The score was deadlocked 40-40 at the midpoint of the quarter. The Eagles jumped ahead 44-43 on a putback off a missed free throw, but the Sharks grabbed the lead right back when McCann drilled another three. Eliana Sheplee hit a layup before the clock expired, and Embry-Riddle led 50-48 going into the fourth. 

The fourth quarter was all NSU, as the Sharks jumped ahead on McCann's fifth three-pointer of the game. Unique Horton later scored off a putback, giving the Sharks momentum and forcing an Eagle timeout. Morales later scored a layup and the Sharks forced a turnover on the inbound, and Morales scored again to give NSU a 59-54 lead. Simpson drew a charge with 1:18 remaining, bringing the Shark faithful to their feet. The Eagles fouled late to extend the game, but the Sharks hit their free throws, and won 65-57.

Bridie McCann: 29 points (5/11 3PT)
Unique Horton: 13 rebounds 
Markayla Holland: Five steals

The Sharks earned their ninth consecutive win and will set their sights on December 13's road tilt at Palm Beach Atlantic. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women's Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSUW_Basketball.