FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Coming off their first loss of the season, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team bounced back in dominating fashion, defeating the Saint Leo Lions 104-60 at the Rick Case Arena on Saturday afternoon. Each member of the Sharks registered points, led by Ryker Cisarik, who scored a game-high 22 points, shooting an efficient 75% from the field – including a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc – while grabbing seven rebounds. Dallas Graziani continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor, recording 12 assists and six steals.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern has now won 71 consecutive games at the Rick Case Arena.
Breakdown
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 14-1, 6-1 SSC | Saint Leo 7-9, 2-6 SSC
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 104 | Saint Leo 60
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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How it Happened
First Half – The Sharks controlled the game from the opening tip, starting the game on an 11-2 run, with Ryker Cisarik scoring the first five points of the game for NSU, while Ryan Davis and Tyler Eberhart both got involved on the scoreboard. Midway through the half, NSU led 23-10 over the Lions, following a three-point bucket from Eberhart and a layup from MJ Iraldi. Nova Southeastern maintained a double-digit lead throughout the first half, heading into the break leading 42-24. NSU outscored Saint Leo 19-6 off turnovers in the opening half, while also controlling the paint, outscoring the Lions 24-10.
Second Half – Following the halftime break, the Sharks started the frame on a 19-2 run, extending the lead to 61-26 over Saint Leo. During the run, NSU made seven consecutive shot attempts. Eli Allen knocked down back-to-back three point attempts, pushing the Nova Southeastern advantage to 76-35 over the Lions. Cisarik and Alex Mangold followed with a three-point bucket each, as the Sharks led 82-38 over Saint Leo with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Nova Southeastern emptied the bench, getting each member of the team into the game and onto the score-sheet, as the Sharks closed out the 104-60 blowout victory over the Lions, marking Saint Leo’s first loss by double-digits during the 2024-25 regular season.
Shark Standouts
Ryker Cisarik: 22 points, seven rebounds, 8-12 FG/4-4 3PM
Alex Mangold: 15 points, 6-10 FG
Dallas Graziani: six steals, 12 assists
What’s Next
No. 1 Nova Southeastern hosts No. 15 Florida Southern in a Sunshine State Conference showdown, between the two highest ranked teams in the league, on Wednesday, January 15th, at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.
