MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – In a rematch of last season’s NCAA South Region Championship Game, the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team defeated the 23rd ranked Alabama-Huntsville Chargers by a score of 105-84 in NSU’s second game at the Sunshine State Conference and Gulf South Conference Crossover tournament. Ryan Davis paced the Sharks offensive attack, scoring a team-best 19 points, while Isaiah Fuller (14), Shane Hunter (12), Ryan Walsh (14) and GianFranco Grafals (13) all recorded double-digit points.
Dating back to the opening game of the 2022-23 season, Nova Southeastern has defeated Alabama-Huntsville three consecutive times and the Sharks are averaging 97.66 points-per-game in each contest.
Nova Southeastern has won 38 consecutive games since the tip-off of the 2022-23 campaign and NSU Men’s Basketball is 69-1 in contests dating back to the 2021-22 season.
Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 2-0 | No. 23 Alabama-Huntsville 1-1
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 105 | No. 23 Alabama-Huntsville 84
Location: Health & Sports Center | Miami Shores, Fla.
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First Half – The Sharks held a 6-5 lead over UAH through the first two minutes of action, before a Ryan Walsh three-pointer, followed by two consecutive buckets from Ryker Cisarik and a free throw from GianFranco Grafals, put the score at 14-5 before the first media timeout. Ryan Davis and Walsh each knocked down a three-pointer to extend the NSU advantage to 22-9. After the midway point of the opening half, Shane Hunter finished a lay-up, off an assist from Davis, giving the Sharks a 36-20 lead. Grafals added a bucket on a second chance opportunity, putting the score at 42-28 with less than eight minutes remaining. Isaiah Fuller knocked down a pair of free throws and gave NSU a 58-29 lead over the Chargers. Walsh’s fourth three-pointer of the opening half sent the Sharks into halftime with a 74-40 advantage over Alabama-Huntsville.
Second Half – Nova Southeastern continued to press the Chargers in the second half, extending the lead to 83-40 following a lay-up from Tommy Sala. At the midway point of the second frame, Nova Southeastern maintained a 20+ point lead over Alabama-Huntsville, as the score sat at 91-64 with 10:25 remaining. NSU extended its lead courtesy of free throws by Grafals, Alex Mangold and Davis, before Grafals knocked down a jumper to put the Sharks over the century mark with a 100-74 lead. Nova Southeastern sealed the second win of the 2023 season with a 105-84 victory over UAH.
Ryan Davis: 19 points, two steals, 3-7 3PT
Isaiah Fuller: 14 points, three steals, five rebounds
Ryan Walsh: 14 points, 4-4 3PT
The Sharks forced 28 turnovers in the contest and outscored Alabama-Huntsville 44-17 off turnovers.
Nova Souteastern’s transition offense was a difference maker in the contest, as the Sharks scored 28 points on the fast break. 
Head Coach Jim Crutchfield – “The guys did a great job of taking Alabama-Huntsville out of their offensive rhythm with pressure defense. That’s a big win for us, as Alabama-Huntsville is a nationally ranked team that will most likely be in the mix for NCAA postseason play.” 
The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks will host Southeastern (NAIA) in the 2023 home opener on Wednesday, November 15th, from the Rick Case Arena. Prior to the game, the 2022-23 NCAA Division II National Champions will be honored with a ring and championship banner unveiling ceremony – scheduled for 6:40 p.m. – with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
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