FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – David Dennis poured in a game-high 28 points, while Mark Matthews notched his fifth consecutive double-double, as No. 8 Nova Southeastern pulled away in the second half en route to an eventual 90-79 win over Saint Leo on Saturday at the Rick Case Arena. The Sharks tied a season-low with only five three-point makes, yet carved the Lions up with 46 points in the paint to complete the regular season sweep and remain atop the Sunshine State Conference standings.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 90, Saint Leo 79
Records: Nova Southeastern (19-2, 13-2 SSC), Saint Leo (10-13, 7-8 SSC)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1ST HALF | Nova Southeastern fell behind in the early going, but ripped off seven unanswered points to climb in front 14-10 just before the first media timeout of the ball game. Matthews then found his rhythm with three straight buckets for the Sharks, leading to a beautiful transition sequence finished off by Dennis to extend the margin to double-digits, forcing Saint Leo to call timeout. The Sharks remained on top by 10 at the 8:48 mark, but would fail to make a field goal over the next 4:35, as the Lions managed to draw back even. Saint Leo regained a one-point lead on a Yalen Redd three late in the half. Back-to-back lay-ups down the stretch, though, by Matthews and Dennis would send Nova Southeastern into the break with a slim 43-40 advantage.

2ND HALF | The Sharks' lead sat at just 49-48 in the opening moments of the second half until three's by Matthews and Dwayne Gibson keyed a 12-2 run to stretch the cushion to 11. That margin soon grew to 14 following a Mikkel Kolstad trey from the corner. Still, Saint Leo hung around, after an Isaiah Hill triple pulled the Lions back to within seven with 5:56 to play. A massive three-point play by Pat Huffine on the ensuing possession quickly nixed any momentum for the Lions, though, as the Sharks led by double-digits once again. The Huffine conversion would prove to spark an eventual 14-3 run, with a basket by Dennis and two more by Huffine putting the game on ice with just under two minutes remaining.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks head to St. Petersburg, Fla. next Wednesday for an SSC showdown with Eckerd. The Tritons handed Nova Southeastern its first loss of the season back in early January. For complete coverage, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball or visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.