FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the 40th consecutive game, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team emerged victorious, as the top-ranked Sharks defeated the Bluefield State Big Blue 110-86 on Sunday afternoon from the Rick Case Arena. GianFranco Grafals led the Sharks in the effort, scoring a game-high 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his double-double of the season.
Under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks have now won 46 consecutive contests at the Rick Case Arena dating back to February 26, 2020.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 4-0 | Bluefield State 1-5
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 110 | Bluefield State 86
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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First Half – Bluefield State and Nova Southeastern, playing a similar full-court press defense, grinded through most of the first half, as the score was tied 7-7 at the 15 minute mark. Nearing the midway mark of the opening frame, Bluefield State went into the under eight minutes media timeout with a 32-24 advantage. Following the brief break, the Sharks rallied for a 9-1 run, tying the score at 33-33, after a layup from Shane Hunter. Nova Southeastern went on an 8-0 run, taking a 46-40 lead over Bluefield State – the Sharks received points from GianFranco Grafals, Ryan Davis, Isaiah Fuller and Hunter during the rally. NSU went into the halftime break leading 52-48 over Bluefield State.
Second Half – After halftime, the Sharks came out with a 6-0 run, as MJ Iraldi and Grafals scored, putting NSU in front 58-48 and forcing BSU to use a timeout. Grafals knocked down a three-pointer and pushed the lead to 64-50. Just before the 10-minute mark in the second half Grafals added two more points to his ledger, extending the lead to 81-62. Bluefield State did not go away, going on a 16-3 run and put the score at 86-78 with just over six minutes remaining. NSU responded with a 14-3 run, putting the score at 100-81, before ending the Sharks 40th consecutive win by a score of 110-86.
GIanFranco Grafals: 25 points, 10-18 FG, 11 rebounds
Shane Hunter: 24 points, 10-14 FG, nine rebounds, three blocks
Isaiah Fuller: 16 points, six assists, three rebounds
Crashing the offensive glass was a difference maker in the contest, as the Sharks scored 24 points off of second chances and collected 26 offensive rebounds.
NSU dominated inside the paint, outscoring Bluefield State 76-34.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern begins Sunshine State Conference Action on Wednesday, November 29th, taking on Lynn from the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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