FORT LAUDERDALE,  Fla. – The No. 1 Nova Southeastern Men's Basketball team won its second consecutive Sunshine State Conference Tournament on Sunday afternoon, defeating sixth-seed Embry-Riddle 92-69, from the Rick Case Arena. The Sharks were led by a 15-point, 13-assist effort from Dallas Graziani and 22 points from Will Yoakum in the SSC Championship.Following the Sunshine State Conference tournament victory, Dallas Graziani, Jonathan Pierre, RJ Sunahara (SSC Player of the Year) and Will Yoakum (SSC Newcomer of the Year) were honored with All-Tournament team recognition, with Yoakum being named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: Nova Southeastern 30-0, 20-0 SSC | Embry-Riddle 19-11, 10-10 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 92, Embry-Riddle 69
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half – The opening minutes of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship were physical, with both teams setting the tone on the defensive side of the ball. Embry-Riddle ran off eight consecutive points, taking a 12-6 lead over the Sharks before Ryan Davis halted the momentum with a three-point bucket of his own. Nearing the midway point of the half, RJ Sunahara knocked down a three-pointer of his own, tying the contest at 14-14. Jonathan Pierre gave the Sharks a 17-14, following a block on the defensive end and a three-point basket. With less than four minutes remaining in the half, Yoakum – SSC Tournament MVP – scored seven consecutive points for NSU and gave the Sharks a 30-26 advantage. As the clock wound down in the first half, Head Coach Jim Crutchfield – the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year – called a timeout and drew up a last second shot for Graziani. The redshirt freshman stepped up and knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the Sharks into the half leading 39-32.
 
Second Half – Nova Southeastern began the second half on a 13-6 run, Pierre capped off the run by drilling a three-pointer and put NSU ahead 52-38. The Sharks continued to hold the Eagles at bay throughout the contest, Yoakum knocked down a three-pointer, extending the NSU lead to 60-41. Pierre finished a contested lay-up, drawing a foul, and converting an and-one as the Sharks led 74-54 with under six minutes remaining. An emphatic slam dunk from Sunahara put an exclamation point on the Sharks second consecutive Sunshine State Conference Tournament title, putting the NSU advantage at 85-62 with two minutes left in the contest. The Sharks closed out the 92-69 win over the Eagles and sealed the victory.

STATS OF THE NIGHT

• Nova Southeastern is the first school to win back-to-back SSC Tournaments since Florida Southern (19-20).
• Four Sharks reached double-figures: Yoakum (22), Pierre (17), Sunahara (16) and Graziani (15).
• The double-double is Graziani's third of the season.
• Nova Southeastern has now won 30 games for the second consecutive season. 

 
UPCOMING
The top-ranked Sharks earned the Sunshine State Conference's automatic qualifier spot for the NCAA tournament by virtue of winning the tournament title. The Sharks await the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 5, at 11 p.m. to determine their next opponent.