WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The top-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks’ 13-game winning streak to begin the 2024-25 season came to an end on Wednesday night, as NSU was upset 87-84 by the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at the Rubin Arena.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 13-1, 5-1 SSC | Palm Beach Atlantic 12-2, 5-1 SSC
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 84 | Palm Beach Atlantic 87
Location: Rubin Arena | West Palm Beach, Fla.
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First Half – In a contest featuring the highest-scoring offense in the Sunshine State Conference (NSU) and the top defense in the league (PBA), the Sharks were unable to establish much momentum in the early stages of the game, falling behind 9-2. Both Nova Southeastern and Palm Beach Atlantic traded baskets back-and-forth, as NSU continued to attempt to climb back into the game. Trailing 36-29 with 4:21 remaining in the first half, Tyler Eberhart sparked an 8-0 run, which featured points by Ryker Cisarik, Eli Allen and Ryan Davis, gave NSU its first lead in the game, 37-36, within 45 seconds of game action. The Sharks went into the break trailing the Sailfish 43-42.
Second Half – Cisarik opened the second half by scoring eight consecutive points for the Sharks, including knocking down a pair of three-pointers, giving NSU a quick 50-47 advantage. PBA kept the Sharks from gaining a more than two possession lead, as the score was 65-64 in favor of Nova Southeastern at the midway point of the second half. MJ Iraldi took over for NSU, scoring 10 consecutive points for the Sharks, as Nova Southeastern held a 75-70 heading into the final five minutes of the game. Cisarik converted a second chance opportunity, putting NSU in front 84-80 with just over two minutes remaining. Palm Beach Atlantic’s defense held the Sharks high-powered offense scoreless over the final 1:37 of the game, as Nova Southeastern was defeated for the first time on the 2024-25 season.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern returns to the Rick Case Arena to host the Saint Leo Lions in a Sunshine State Conference game on Saturday, January 11th, tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketball.
