FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Mark Matthews and
Connor Zinaich poured in 27 points apiece, as No. 6 Nova Southeastern used an early second-half run to bury Bluefield State by a final score of 125-82 Wednesday afternoon at the Rick Case Arena. The win marks the ninth straight for the Sharks, matching the longest streak in program history, with each of the last three coming by an average of 45-plus points per game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 125, Bluefield State 82
Records: Nova Southeastern (9-0), Bluefield State (3-8)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1
st Half | The Sharks led 11-4 just 2:10 into the contest after a Zinaich steal resulted in an easy lay-in for
David Dennis on the other end of the floor. The margin grew to nine until the Big Blues reeled off seven unanswered to pull back within a bucket at the 11:59 mark. Nova Southeastern would instantly respond, though, with a 9-0 spurt capped by a Zinaich lay-in to stretch the cushion to double-digits for the first time on the afternoon. Some missed open looks allowed Bluefield State to remain within distance, trailing by eight with 1:12 remaining. However, a late three by
Dwayne Gibson, followed by a Matthews transition finish just before the buzzer, gave the Sharks a huge lift and a 58-44 advantage heading into the break.
2
nd Half | Already comfortably in front by 14, Nova Southeastern needed just over two minutes into the second half to officially land the knockout punch. Zinaich drilled a three on the Sharks' opening offensive possession, eventually scoring eight straight as part of a 14-2 run to put Nova Southeastern well ahead, 72-46. A lay-up by Dennis extended the lead to 40 midway through the half, promptly ending the afternoon for the Sharks' starting five.
Eddie Puisis took advantage of some added minutes, canning four consecutive three-point attempts at one point, adding the icing on yet another rout to the resume for Nova Southeastern.
UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will head into the holiday break before hosting a Sunshine State Conference showdown against No. 10 Florida Southern on Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball or visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
