The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks recorded their 16th consecutive win and improved to 9-0 in the Sunshine State Conference, defeating Saint Leo 106-84 on Saturday evening from the Rick Case Arena. Will Yoakum notched a double-double in the effort for NSU, scoring 17 points, while grabbing 12 rebounds.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 16-0, 9-0 SSC | Saint Leo 13-6, 5-4 SSC
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 106, Saint Leo 84
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Rick Case Arena
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HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half – Dallas Graziani hit two consecutive three-pointers to lead an early 10-2 run by the Sharks. Saint Leo withstood the early run by NSU and cut the deficit to 22-19 at the 12:13 mark of the first half. Graziani’s fourth three-pointer of the opening half extended the NSU advantage to 32-25. Will Yoakum scored four consecutive points for NSU, and added a steal, as Nova Southeastern led 38-31 late in the half. Jake Maranville sent the Sharks into the halftime break leading 56-44 over the Lions.
Second Half – A Kobe Rodgers steal set up a Jonathan Pierre three-pointer, putting NSU in front 59-46. Lukas Speidel recorded six straight points for Nova Southeastern, extending the Sharks advantage to 69-55. NSU continued adding distance between themselves and the Lions, leading 85-65 with 8:30 remaining in the contest. The Sharks closed out their 16th consecutive victory, defeating Saint Leo 106-84.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
Six Sharks scored in double-figures in the contest, including all five starters. Dallas Graziani led NSU with 18 points, Yoakum (17), Kobe Rodgers (17), Tomas Murphy (13), Jonathan Pierre (10) and Jake Maranville (10)
The Sharks offense capitalized with extra offensive possessions, outscoring Saint Leo 25-0 on second chance opportunities.
UPCOMING
No. 2 Nova Southeastern takes on No. 23 Embry-Riddle in a Sunshine State Conference showdown on Wednesday, January 18, in Daytona Beach, Fla., in a rematch of last season’s Sweet 16 matchup. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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