FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Kaliyah Morales scored 17 points to lead five double-figure scorers, and the #4 Nova Southeastern Sharks remained perfect on the season as they defeated Florida Southern 83-72 at home. The Sharks came back from a 10-point deficit and dealt the Mocs their first loss in conference play.
 

Score: #4 Nova Southeastern 83| Florida Southern 72
Records: #4 Nova Southeastern 14-0 (6-0 SSC) | Florida Southern 10-2 (4-1 SSC)
Location: Crutchfield Court at Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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The Mocs grabbed an early lead and led 9-6 midway through the first quarter. The Mocs later doubled up the Sharks 12-6 after a three-pointer from Gianna Vos. The Sharks countered with a run, and they took an 18-16 lead after a three-pointer from Katelynn Hagy. Chynna Mattair drew a charge on the penultimate possession of the quarter, and the score was tied 20-20 at the end of the first. 

The Mocs began the second quarter on an 11-1 run, before Celeste Reed hit a putback layup to quell the momentum. Florida Southern went up 32-23 by the under-5 media timeout. NSU got back-to-back threes from Taydra Simpson and Bridie McCann to cut the deficit to 34-31. On the last possession of the half, Simpson got an offensive rebound and scored a putback layup just before the buzzer, but the Mocs still led 39-33 at intermission.

The Sharks started the third quarter on a game-changing 11-0 run and took a 42-39 lead on a layup by Reed. Florida Southern took the lead right back on a three-pointer by Sydney Gomes and her strip and score on the very next possession. Kaliyah Morales' floater at the 3:45 mark gave NSU a 48-47 lead. The Sharks went up 58-51 on a stick back by Unique Horton with under a minute remaining, and they led 60-53 at the end of the quarter after free throws from Mattair.

NSU took a 66-53 lead, their largest of the game, early in fourth after scores from Mattair and Morales. A post score from Markayla Holland capped the 6-0 run before the Mocs responded. McCann's free throws at the 6:36 mark gave NSU a 70-60 lead. The Mocs had one final run left in them, as they fought back and trailed 72-70 at the final media timeout after a three-pointer from Catalina Ion.

Morales hit a crucial midrange jumper with under two minutes remaining to give NSU a 78-70 lead, and Simpson hit a dagger three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining to give them a commanding 81-70 advantage. NSU won 83-72 and captured their sixth conference win.
 

Kaliyah Morales: 17 points, five assists, four steals
Bridie McCann: 12 points, four rebounds, four assists
Markayla Holland: 12 points, four steals
Celeste Reed: 12 points
Taydra Simpson: 10 points, 10 rebounds
 

NSU remains undefeated with a 14-0 record, including a 6-0 mark in SSC play. They'll travel to Rollins on January 10 and face off against the Tars at 2:00 PM. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women's Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_WBasketball.