DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  - Bridie McCann recorded 18 points with four three-pointers, Kaliyah Morales added 16, and #14 Nova Southeastern upended Embry-Riddle 75-71 in the SSC Tournament Semifinals. The Sharks, who also got nine points and 11 boards from Markayla Holland, avenged last season's SSC Championship loss to the Eagles to advance to this year's SSC title game on Sunday.



Score: #14 Nova Southeastern 75 | Embry-Riddle 71
Records: #14 Nova Southeastern 26-4 (16-4 SSC)| Embry-Riddle 22-6 (16-4 SSC)
Location: ICI Center| Daytona Beach, Fla.
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The Eagles drew first blood, but Hailey Chiles and Taydra Simpson responded with baskets to give Nova an early 4-2 lead. Both teams struggled to hit from the field in the middle frame, but the Eagles later responded with an 8-0 run, thanks to four free throws, a layup and two more free throws to go up 10-4 with just under three minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Bridie McCann finally broke the Sharks' scoring drought with just over two minutes remaining, as she scored the next seven points for NSU. Her three-pointer with 90 ticks left brought the Sharks to within 12-11, but the Eagles took a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter after another layup and free throw.

The Sharks continued chipping away at the deficit and took a 21-19 lead in the second quarter on a fastbreak score from Kaliyah Morales. Mary Lengemann tied the score at 21 and again at 23. The score was tied four times in the quarter as neither team could shake the other. The Sharks took a 34-28 lead, their largest of the half, on a basket from Holland with just over one minute remaining. However, the Eagles got two more free throws from Jareah Branch and a layup from Anye' Staton, and they trailed 34-32 at the half. 

The Sharks held onto their lead early in the second half, as Markayla Holland knocked down a three to give them a 37-34 advantage. However, the Eagles grabbed the momentum back on an and-one from Eliana Sheplee and two layups from Branch, giving them a 45-39 lead midway through the quarter. The Sharks continued battling, but Embry-Riddle maintained a six-point lead after buckets from Kailey Turpening and Branch again. NSU cut the deficit to two on a layup from Chiles, and again on a jumper from Chynna Mattair to pull within 53-51 at the end of the third. 

The Sharks built a five-point lead in the fourth after baskets from Celeste Reed, Holland and a three-pointer from McCann. That three-pointer pushed NSU's lead to 60-55, forcing an Eagle timeout. McCann drilled another trey moments later to go up by six with 7:20 remaining. Consecutive baskets from Turpening brought the Eagles within two, and they trailed 69-67 with 4:33 remaining. 

The Sharks then held the Eagles scoreless for over two minutes, and went ahead 71-67 on two free throws from Morales. Laurie Satchell finally broke the scoring drought for ERAU, but Simpson banged in a clutch three-pointer from the wing to go up 74-69 with 1:39 left. The Sharks forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, but they gave the ball right back, and Lengemann hit a floater to draw the Eagles within 74-71 with less than a minute remaining. 
The Eagles got a stop and called timeout with 31.4 ticks left, but Sheplee missed a look from three and was called for an over-the-back foul. The Sharks, however, missed the ensuing free throws, and the Eagles got the rebound. The Eagles came up empty again, and Chiles split her free throws, cementing the 75-71 victory for the Sharks.



Bridie McCann: 18 points
Kaliyah Morales: 16 points, four assists
Markayla Holland: 11 rebounds, nine points



The Sharks advance to the SSC title game for the second year in a row and will host Florida Southern on Sunday at 1:00 PM. They improve to 26-4 on the year (16-4 SSC) and will look to bring the Championship home. To stay up-to-date with Sharks Women's Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_WBasketball.