FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Bridie McCann scored 19 points, including a clutch three-pointer to send the game into overtime, and Anaia Hoard knocked down the game-winning free throws as #4 Nova Southeastern outlasted Palm Beach Atlantic 82–80 at home. McCann was flanked in double figures by Kaliyah Morales (12), Taydra Simpson (11) and Hailey Chiles (11) as the Sharks moved to 19-0 on the season.
Score: #4 Nova Southeastern 82 | Palm Beach Atlantic 80
Records: #4 Nova Southeastern 19-0 (11-0 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic 8-11 (4-7 SSC)
Location: Crutchfield Court at Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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The Sailfish raced out to a quick lead in the opening frame, as Annabel Ellison had a strip and score to go up 10-3 with just over six minutes remaining. The Sharks responded with a 7-0 run, tying the game at 10 on Bridie McCann’s fastbreak layup at the 4:18 mark. NSU took a 16-15 lead, its first of the game, on Celeste Reed’s layup, but Darria Whitley hit a three-pointer to snatch the lead right back for PBA. The Sailfish led 21-16 at the end of the first.
The Sailfish extended their lead to 26-19 on Ellison’s two free throws at the 6:18 mark of the second quarter. Kaliyah Morales scored back-to-back buckets for NSU to cut PBA’s lead to three. Markayla Holland made a free throw to cut the lead to 29-28, but PBA went up 35-30 at the half on a three-pointer from Whitley and a free throw from Maddie Wallhoff.
The Sharks opened the second half with buckets from Hailey Chiles and McCann, but the Sailfish went up 39-34 on more free throws from Ellison. Breeje Schuler’s stepback three-pointer at the 5:05 mark gave PBA a six-point lead, and two minutes later, Schuler scored an and-one to give PBA a 50-40 advantage with 3:05 remaining. The Sailfish scored an and-one with 0.3 remaining, and they led 56-49 at the end of the third quarter.
The Sharks opened the fourth quarter with buckets from McCann and Chynna Mattair to cut the Sailfish lead to 56-53. Schuler later made another layup, but Taydra Simpson hit a corner three to cut the deficit to 60-57 with 3:35 remaining. Chiles scored another basket, and the Sharks forced a 10-second violation on the ensuing possession, bringing the crowd to their feet.
The Sailfish, however, got a stop and Ellison converted an and-one, taking a 64-59 lead with 1:19 left. Not to be denied, Chiles converted an and-one the very next play, cutting PBA’s lead to 64-62. PBA converted their free throws to go up 67-62 with 19 seconds left. Holland missed the second of free throws, but Anaia Hoard got the offensive rebound and putback to cut the lead to 67-65. After Morales’ fifth foul, PBA’s KB Hadley split her free throws, and McCann banked in a three-pointer as time expired to tie the game at 68 and force overtime.
Simpson hit a corner three to take a 75-74 lead with 3:20 left in overtime. It was a back-and-forth affair from there, as PBA converted free throws to go up 78-75. Mattair hit two clutch buckets, the second one being a three-pointer, to tie the game at 80 with 40 ticks left. The Sharks forced a shot clock violation, and on the next play, Hoard was fouled on an offensive rebound and putback attempt. She knocked down both free throws, and PBA’s full court heave was off, and the Sharks escaped with the 82-80 win.
Bridie McCann: 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals
Kaliyah Morales: 12 points, four assists
Taydra Simpson: 11 points, six rebounds, six steals, two blocks
Hailey Chiles: 11 points
Markayla Holland: nine points, eight rebounds
NSU moves to 19-0 (11-0 in SSC play) and will face Eckerd College at home on January 28 at 5:30 PM. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_WBasketball.
