FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Dallas Graziani poured in 35 points, Ross Reeves added 14, and Ryan Davis added 11 as #1 Nova Southeastern prevailed 75-69 over Rollins College in a tightly-contested nailbiter to win their 99th consecutive home game. The Sharks built a sizeable lead before fending off the Tars late, thanks to timely offensive rebounding and clutch free throws.
 


Score: #1 Nova Southeastern 75 | Rollins 69
Records: #1 Nova Southeastern 23-1 (18-1 SSC) | Rollins 13-15 (7-13 SSC)
Location: Crutchfield Court at Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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The Sharks won the jumpball and got a quick score from Ross Reeves, which was the start of a 9-0 run to open the game. Dallas Graziani knocked down a jumper to cap the run before the Tars finally got on the board at the 16:19 mark of the first half. The Sharks' pressure bothered Rollins, as the Tars kept turning the ball over and NSU kept taking advantage. NSU capitalized on miscues and pushed its lead to 19-2 at the 13:30 mark on another bucket from Reeves. 

However, the Tars began clawing their way back into the game thanks to timely three-point shooting. Cheo James, Marshall Klug and Michael Kalina all hit threes as the Tars whittled down the deficit. James hit yet another three-pointer just after the under-8 timeout to cut the lead to 33-26, and another bucket from Klug cut the deficit to five. Buckets from Graziani and Jaxon Nap pushed Nova's lead back to nine as they tried to keep the Tars at bay. Ryan Davis hit a turnaround jumper for the Sharks before Rollins' Jah Nze hit two free throws to close the half, and NSU led 43-36 at the break. 

Nova pushed the lead back to 10 points on a Graziani three-pointer, but the Tars sliced the deficit in half again when Ricky Ghedini hit a three a minute into the second half. The teams continued trading baskets, and NSU kept the Tars at arm's length through the middle frame. Reeves' basket with 12:18 remaining pushed the Sharks' lead to 55-48, but the Tars cut it to three on an and-one from Mason Quartlebaum. Quartlebaum knocked down free throws moments later to cut the lead to three again, 57-54, at the 9:41 mark. 

Rollins cut the lead to three points once more before NSU responded with a 5-0 spurt, thanks to baskets from Graziani and Reeves again. However, the Tars stormed back and tied the game at 63 on a score from Jah Nze with 4:23 remaining. The Tars tied the score twice more, thanks to free throws on both occassions, as the Sharks began racking up fouls late. Ryan Renfro split his free throw attempts, giving Rollins its first lead of the game with 1:50 remaining.

The Sharks, however, would not be denied, as Jaxon Nap split free throws moments later to tie the score at 68, but Davis secured the offensive rebound. Graziani then drained the dagger go-ahead three-pointer at the 1:26 mark to go up 71-68. On the ensuing possession, Klug was fouled on an offensive rebound and putback attempt, but he also split his free throws, and they trailed 71-69 with just over one minute remaining. Reeves was fouled and drained two free throws with 42 ticks remaining, giving NSU a 73-69 lead and making it a two-possession game. Rollins' three-point attempt with under 20 seconds remaining bounced off the rim, and Graziani's free throws sealed the 75-69 victory.

 

Dallas Graziani: 35 points, three steals, three assists
Ross Reeves: 14 points, four rebounds
Ryan Davis: 11 points, eight rebounds, five steals
Jaxon Nap: Nine rebounds



The Sharks will close the regular season on the road, as they'll visit Florida Southern this Saturday, February 28. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men's Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_MBasketball.