WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Sharks responded from an early 13 point deficit late in the second quarter to take a five point lead, 60-55, with just 56 seconds to play in the fourth. However, the Tars found a way to knot it up before the end of regulation, then outlasted NSU in overtime to pull away with a, 69-65, victory Wednesday night at the Warden Arena.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
FINAL: L, 65-69 (OT)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern University Sharks (10-10, 6-7 SSC), Rollins College Tars (12-9, 5-8 SSC)
LOCATION: Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center (Warden Arena) | Winter Park, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
HOW IT HAPPENED:
1ST QUARTER | NSU came out of the gate displaying some strong and stingy defensive play, holding the Tars to just 1-of-7 shooting to begin the game, resulting in an early, 9-2 score at the first media timeout. However, the Tars would regroup, mounting a 9-0 run of their own, taking their first lead at 11-9, with 1:22 to play. Both teams would trade a pair of successful trips to the line, before Rollins knocked down a late three-pointer with 50 seconds to play, pushing their lead to five, 16-11. With just 21 seconds to play, Hailey Conley drilled a jumper from beyond the arc, cutting the deficit to just two points after the first frame.
2ND QUARTER | A quick start to the second saw the Tars pull ahead by 13, after a layup forced an NSU timeout at the 5:15 mark. It would continue to be a game a runs, as the combination of Conley and Jordan Tully would score the next nine points for the Sharks, out-scoring the Tars 9-2 in the process. NSU managed to close the gap to just six, 28-34, thanks in large part to nearly a three minute scoring drought by the home team heading into the half.
3RD QUARTER | The Sharks put their stamp on the game in the third, bullying their way inside the paint and continuing to stand tall defensively. While the Sharks were just 2-of-13 from the field in the quarter, they found their way to the charity stripe 14 times, converting 11. NSU buckled down and held Rollins without a score for 4:51, and when a technical foul was issued to Rollins, Conley stepped up to drill both foul shots, as the Sharks regained their first lead since the first quarter, now up 41-40. Two more late free throws by Annie Santucci capped a 6-0 run for the Sharks, putting the road warriors ahead, 43-40, going into the fourth.
4TH QUARTER | The Tars opened up the final 10 minutes of play with a quick three-pointer to tie the game back up, 43-43. Tully would step up in a big way for NSU, exploding for eight straight points, followed by an overhead pass by Janiffer Rodriguez to find an open Conley in the corner, who connected from downtown to give the Sharks a seven point lead, 54-47. With just four minutes on the clock, the Tars would score six unanswered, cutting the lead back to just one, 54-53. On the ensuing possession Conley would finish under the basket and Sarah Kelly would knock down two from the line to give NSU a 58-53 lead at the 1:35 mark. After Rollins would hit a big time three-pointer with 45 seconds to play, they got the ball back for one final possession, down two, and with just five seconds to play split a pair at the line. On the second missed free-throw, an offensive rebound was corralled and Rollins would hit one-of-two, tying it up, 60-60. NSU had two seconds on the clock after the inbound, and attempted a late desperation three, but it was unsuccessful.
OVERTIME | NSU opened up the scoring in the extra frame, converting on its first possession after Conley drained her fourth three-pointer of the match. Unfortunately, that would be the only field goal in the period for the Sharks as they had a chance to tie late with 40 seconds to play, and down 68-65, but failed to convert from downtown, ultimately getting outscored 9-5 in the extra frame.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Tully scored a career-high 30 points (7-14 FG) in the defeat, scoring a remarkable 16 points from the stripe in 20 attempts.
- The Canadian also pulled down seven rebounds, to go along with a team-high three blocks and two steals in 36 minutes of action.
- Conley and Tully would combine for 50 of the teams 65 points, as the sharpshooter contributed 20 points of her own, hitting four three-pointers and collecting four rebounds.
- Kelly matched Tully with seven rebounds, including three on the offensive glass, leading the team with six assists, scoring six points and recording three steals.
- Makenna Drabick finished with a team-high nine rebounds, with two steals.
- The Sharks shot just 16-of-55 (29 percent) from the field but were able to have a chance at victory thanks to a 28-of-38 effort from the line (74 percent).
- NSU had an off night from downtown, converting just 18.5 percent of their shots (5-27), their lowest shooting percentage output of the 2019-20 campaign.
- Despite playing a small lineup due to injuries, NSU managed to out rebound the SSC leaders in rebounding margin, 44-42.
- The Rollins bench showed up big, outscoring the Sharks reserves 37-9
- Sharks led for 16:34 in this one (23:15 for RC), as the game was tied eight different times.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The Sharks set season-highs in free throws made (28) and attempted (38), while also recording their highest rebounding output at 44, grabbing 40 plus boards for the third time this season.
- Tully also set career high marks in minutes (36), free throws made (16) and attempted (20). She is now averaging 24.5 points in her last six games, scoring over 27 in three of those contests.
- NSU corralled 14 offensive rebounds, the highest this season.
- With another four rejections in the contest, NSU now leads the SSC in average blocked shots per game at 3.50.
UP NEXT:
The Sharks will wrap up their two game road-stand in St. Petersburg, Fla., taking on the Tritons, Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Eckerd dropped NSU in overtime back on Jan. 2, 80-76, at the Rick Case Arena.
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_WBasketball. Also, follow on Facebook at /nsuwbasketball and Instagram with the handle @NSU_WBasketball.
