FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The top-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team closed out 2023 with the program’s tenth win of the campaign, defeating Embry-Riddle 94-79 on Saturday afternoon from the Rick Case Arena.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern has won 46 consecutive contests, dating back to the beginning of the 2022-23 season, 62 straight regular season games – dating back to the 2021-22 campaign – and 44 consecutive Sunshine State Conference matchups.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 10-0, 4-0 SSC | Embry-Riddle 7-4, 1-2 SSC
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 94 | Embry-Riddle 79
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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First Half – In the first match up since last season’s Sunshine State Conference tournament title game, the Sharks got off to an early 9-4 lead, as Mike Moore, MJ Iraldi, Shane Hunter and Ryker Cisarik each contributed in the opening minutes. At the midway point of the half, Embry-Riddle led 25-20 over NSU, but the Sharks were able to reclaim the lead courtesy of a pair of free throws by Isaiah Fuller. The Sharks and Eagles battled back-and-forth for the remainder of the opening half and Nova Southeastern went into the break leading 45-38.
Second Half – Early in the second half, NSU was able to open a double-digit lead over Embry-Riddle, as GianFranco Grafals netted a pair of free throws to put the Sharks ahead 53-42. Hunter recorded four consecutive points for the Sharks, extending the advantage to 69-56 over Embry-Riddle with under ten minutes remaining in the contest. Grafals put NSU in front 76-61 with a three-pointer off an assist from Mike Moore. Nova Southeastern put the game away from the free throw line, going 17-18 at the charity stripe after shooting 52.9% in the opening half.
Head Coach Jim Crutchfield – “Embry-Riddle came out hot, but I think our aggressive play on both ends of the court was the difference. It was nice to get back on the court again after the Christmas break.”
Shane Hunter: 21 points, six rebounds
Isaiah Fuller: 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists
Gianfranco Grafals: 12 points, four steals, four rebounds
Nova Southeastern outscored Embry-Riddle 27-14 off of turnovers.
The Sharks aggressive play on the offensive glass allowed NSU to add 26 points off of second chances.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern returns to the court on Wednesday, January 3, taking on Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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