FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 2 Nova Southeastern men's basketball team put rubber to the road on Saturday after a seven-day holiday layoff, returning to the Shark Tank to deliver a record-breaking 154-85 victory over Peach Belt Conference foe Clayton State on Saturday at Rick Case Arena. Although a surprising shortage of double-doubles, the Sharks saw seven players hit double figures against the Lakers.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 154, Clayton State 85
Records: Nova Southeastern (4-0, 1-0 SSC), Clayton State (2-5, 0-0 PBC)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MBasketball | Instagram - @NSU_MBasketball

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1^st Half | Although the first few minutes had the makings of a close contest, the Sharks quickly found their groove on both ends. Leading 13-11 just three minutes in, NSU held the Lakers off the board for the next two minutes and racked up 17 points in that span to carry a 28-13 advantage into the initial media timeout. The Sharks' multi-headed attack kept the Lakers guessing, but it was Nick Smith and RJ Sunahara who were lowering the boom on CSU. In the opening period, Smith hit 8-of-9 from the field, including 5-of-6 from long range for 23 points, while Sunahara went 8-for-10 for 22 points – leading the Sharks to a 96-50 advantage at the break. For their efforts, NSU racked up a 68.5 percent shooting percentage in the first half, including 52.4 percent from the field. Collecting 13 first-half steals, NSU registered 35 points off CSU turnovers.

2^nd Half | The Shark starters played only the opening four minutes of the half, with Smith and Mikkel Kolstad putting six apiece up in that span – as NSU built up to a 52-point lead. In their absence, the bench carried the banner right away, launching an 22-3 run across the next five minutes to near the game's largest gap at 71. Although the teams traded scores in the final 10 minutes, the Sharks finished strong, reeling off five straight scoring possessions in the final two minutes to achieve a game-high lead of 74. In the second half, it was Shane Hunter and Lukas Speidel who took the scoring reins, earning 12 apiece, while Eddie Puisis had nine. With an additional six steals, the Sharks chipped in another 16 points off turnovers.
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• With seven players reaching double figures, the Sharks utilized an 11-man rotation against the Lakers.
• Scoring a school-record 154 (previous high of 133 last season), NSU put up the most points by a DII school since West Liberty had 158 last November in their own school record – also 96 points in the first half for a school record.
• With this big win, the Sharks are averaging 122 points per game as an offense, while allowing an average of 77 points.
• With 38 assists on the night, led by Mark Matthews' seven, that's the second-most program dimes.
• The Sharks logged the most treys since Florida National last season with 19 three-pointers.
• Hitting 19-of-20 free throws (95.0 percent), NSU logged the best free throw percentage since December 7, 2017.

STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• Shooting 10-of-11 and 7-of-8 from long range for a team-high 29 points, Smith tied or set career highs in points, field goals, three-pointers and assists (5).
• At 24 points, Speidel registered his second 20-point game this season after none last year. He set career highs in rebounds (7) and assists (3).
• With six picks, Jake Maranville came just one steal shy of the program's NCAA record.
• Dominating the first half, Sunahara racked up 24 points  and seven rebounds, shooting 8-for-11, while also making four assists.
• The Sharks outrebounded the Lakers 58-26, making way for 29 second-chance points.
• Aside from the seven players with 10+ points, NSU also had six with 5+ field goals, three with three from beyond the arc, six with 5+ rebounds, eight with 3+ assists and three with 4+ steals.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks have another week off before returning to Sunshine State action on December 7 at Saint Leo next Saturday. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.