FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Bridie McCann had another 20-point performance, and Kaliyah Morales and Chynna Mattair each provided 13 points to help the sixth-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks overpower visiting Elizabeth City State University 87-55. The Sharks, who moved up to #6 in the rankings earlier this week, opened the Holiday Invitational with a win and moved to 11-0 on the year.



Score: #6 Nova Southeastern 87 | Elizabeth City State 55
Records: #6 Nova Southeastern 11-0 (4-0 SSC) | Elizabeth City State 2-7 (0-3 CIAA)
Location: Crutchfield Court at Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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NSU got off to another fast start and raced out to an early 11-2 lead, capped by a McCann three-pointer and fastbreak layup from Markayla Holland. The Vikings'  Alexis Staton hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to six, and ECSU trailed 13-7 with just over four minutes remaining. NSU got the lead back to double digits and went up 20-9 on two free throws from Kaliyah Morales with just under two minutes remaining. The Vikings split two free throw attempts and trailed 22-12 at the end of the first.

McCann hit a stepback three to open the second quarter, and Taydra Simpson hit another layup to give the Sharks a 27-12 cushion at the 8:40 mark. The Sharks led 32-18 at the media timeout, and NSU's lead grew to 15, 35-20, just before the 2:00 mark. The Sharks went up by 20 on another three-pointer from McCann and Simpson drew a charge on the ensuing possession, giving NSU all the momentum. NSU nursed a 41-21 halftime lead.

Early in the third quarter, Hailey Chiles scored back-to-back buckets, and Morales converted an and-one to give NSU a 49-23 lead. The Sharks doubled the Vikings up 51-25 halfway through the period on a layup from Chynna Mattair, and they maintained a 62-32 advantage at the end of the third quarter. NSU's lead hovered at or around 30 points the rest of the way, and they won 87-55.



Bridie McCann: 20 points (4/7 3PT), four rebounds
Chynna Mattair: 13 points, six assists
Kaliyah Morales: 13 points
Unique Horton: 10 rebounds



The Sharks move to 11-0 on the season and will prepare for the second game of the Holiday Invitational, as they'll take on Lincoln University (PA) at 12 noon tomorrow. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women's Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSUW_Basketball.