DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – The Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball dropped today’s SSC Championship matchup against the 15th-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles in heartbreak fashion. A late fourth-quarter push propelled the Eagles to their first Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship in school history.
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 51, No. 15 Embry-Riddle 55
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (25-6, 16-4 SSC), No. 15 Embry-Riddle (26-4, 17-3 SSC)
LOCATION: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
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First Half – Aubrey Stupp set the tone in the first quarter, scoring eight of the Sharks 20 points to put them ahead 20-13 heading into the second quarter. Embry-Riddle clawed their way back, taking a 26-22 with 4:26 left. Corina Conley halted the Eagles run with a three-pointer followed by a layup from Dash Shaw to tie the game at 28 apiece. Michaela Cloonan closed out the first half with a three-pointer to give NSU a 31-30 lead going into the halftime break.
Second Half – NSU came out hot, going on a 7-2 run to take a 38-32 lead with 5:24 left in the quarter. A last-second layup by Corina Conley added to the Sharks lead as they held a 43-37 lead going into the final frame. The Sharks went cold in the fourth, going on a scoring drought for six minutes. Embry-Riddle took advantage of the Sharks scoring woes, going up 47-46 at the 5:16 mark. The Eagles continued to apply the pressure defensively, ultimately securing the 55-51 victory, securing their first SSC Championship.
The Sharks will await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, March 9 at 10:30 p.m. Watch HERE.
