FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – At least through game one of the
Jim Crutchfield era, the Nova Southeastern Sharks proved that putting the ball in the basket won't be much of a problem.
Malik Hardy led seven players in double-figures with 23 points., as the Sharks ran away from Florida National in the second half en route to an electrifying 116-92 victory Friday night at the Rick Case Arena.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 116, Florida National 92
Records: Nova Southeastern (1-0), Florida National (5-3)
Location: The Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1
st Half | A bit of first-game jitters, along with some defensive miscues, allowed Florida National to jump out to a double-digit cushion on a Christopher Hall three-pointer with 13:57 to play in the first half. Hall finished the night with a game-high 25 points on 7-of-15 from the field. However, the Sharks would respond with a 9-0 spurt to climb back within one before regaining the lead at the 8:14 mark thanks to a
Troy Spears lay-up. In front by a deuce, freshman
Nick Stampley helped Nova Southeastern gain some breathing room down the stretch of the first half. After converting a lay-in on a feed from point guard
David Dennis, the freshman from nearby Blanche Ely High School threw down a left-handed slam to give the Sharks a nine-point advantage that they'd take with them into the break.
2
nd Half | Two Dennis free throws early in the second half grew the Sharks' lead to double-digits for the first time in the contest. Florida National would remain within striking distance midway through the second half until Hardy drained one of his three triples on the night to expand Nova Southeastern's cushion to 84-67 with 10:40 to play. Fellow freshman
Nick Smith would join in on the fun, giving the Sharks' their 100
th point on a lay-up before putting the icing on the cake on an alley-oop to
Dwayne Gibson in the game's final moments.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Nova Southeastern set the program-record for field goals made in a single game with 46 in Friday's victory.
- Friday's point total marked the first time the Sharks eclipsed 100-plus points since February 13, 2016 against Barry.
- The last time Nova Southeastern overcame a double-digit deficit and won came on January 30, 2016 versus Palm Beach Atlantic.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- After collecting a double-double in his 2016-17 debut, senior Gerard Tarin picked up his first of the season on Friday with 13 point and 11 rebounds.
- Dennis finished the night just three assists shy of a triple-double, racking up 10 points, 10 boards and seven assists.
- The Sharks' three freshmen, Hardy, Smith and Stampley combined for 58 points on 22-of-34 (64.7 %) shooting.
- Nova Southeastern recorded 31 assists on its 46 made buckets, and outrebounded the Conquistadors by a 49-33 margin.
- The Sharks' defense forced 27 turnovers in the effort, their most since November 16, 2015.
UP NEXT:
NSU will open Sunshine State Conference play on the road this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against Lynn. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball or visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
