JACKSON, TN. – In what was a highly anticipated rematch, the #24 ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team avenged their SSC Championship loss in the second of the NCAA Tournament, taking down the #13 ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles on Saturday evening at the Fred Delay Gymnasium. The Sharks return to the NCAA South Region Championship for the second consecutive season while also earning their 27th victory, the first time they reached 27 wins since the 2014-15 season. Double digit efforts from Payton Graber (15) and Madison Cloonan (11) spearheaded the Sharks’ offensive attack.
SCORE: #24 Nova Southeastern 66, #13 Embry-Riddle 63
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (27-6, 16-4 SSC), Embry-Riddle (27-5,17-3 SSC)
LOCATION: Jackson, TN | Fred DeLay Gymnasium
GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball
First Half – Embry Riddle jumped out to a 9-7 run before the Sharks closed out the quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 16-12 lead going into the second quarter. Four consecutive points by Aubrey Stupp and Mercedes Simmons kicked off the second quarter action, extending NSU’s lead to eight points. The Eagles answered with a 9-2 run to go ahead 23-22 with 4:23 left to play in the half. Embry-Riddle’s offensive onslaught continued as they held a 32-27 lead going into the halftime break.
Second Half – The Eagles came out hot, taking a 41-34 lead midway through the quarter. A jumper by Madison Cloonan cut NSU’s deficit to three points but the Eagles continued to keep the intensity up offensively, taking a 52-46 lead going into the final frame. Jess Moors jump started a 10-0 run capped off by free throws from Stupp to push the Sharks ahead 56-52. The rest of the quarter featured a back-and-forth affair but made free throws from Jess Moors and Corina Conley secured the victory for NSU, sending them to the Sweet Sixteen.
Payton Graber – 15 points
Madison Cloonan – 11 points
Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – What a game! Both teams fought hard for forty minutes. I’m proud of our execution down the stretch to win this game. Excited for our players to play in the Sweet 16 on Monday!!!
The No. 24 Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Basketball team will return to action Monday, March 17th in the South Region Championship as they await the winner of the Union (TN)/ Lee game. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_WBasketball.
