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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Women’s Basketball Defends SSC Tournament Crown with Win Over Barry
2014-15 Women’s Sunshine State Conference Championships
The No. 24 and top-seeded Nova Southeastern University women’s basketball team successfully defended their Sunshine State Conference postseason crown by dispatching No. 7 Barry in the final minutes in a 61-51 win on Sunday afternoon at the Silver Spurs Arena.
The Sharks (24-5) and Bucs (15-16) had one tie in the ballgame, 45-45, with 8:25 remaining. NSU scored the next five points and before even attempting another shot over the following 3:17, Barry was forced into five turnovers by the Shark defense. Overall, the Bucs committed 23 turnovers against just seven assists in the game.
“Our players found an impressive defensive rhythm throughout the tournament,” said head coach LeAnn Freeland. “We were prepared, focused, and poised to get stops.”
A basket on the next Barry shot attempt made it 50-47 at 5:08, but the Sharks would close the game out on an 11-4 run. At 2:41, Alexis Murphy (Jr., Carlisle, Ohio) made a clutch driving layin to push the lead to five, and the team combined for 9-of-10 free throws over the final 1:21 to ice the victory.
Murphy equaled her teammate and the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Danielle Robinson (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), for the Sunday best of 16 points. The two combined for seven 3-point goals (Robinson 4-of-6 and Murphy 3-of-6), with Robinson adding five rebounds and Murphy three steals.
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Sr., Miami) was also in double digits with 13 points and pulled down a team-best eight rebounds. Guards Murphy, Jessica Valley (R-Jr., Lafayette, Ind.) and Monaye Merritt (R-Jr., Philadelphia) had equal distribution of four assists apiece. Continuing the trend of players contributing strong minutes for the Sharks in postseason play was Katie Barnard (R-Fr., Granger, Ind.), who drew three offensive fouls on Barry players driving to the basket.
“We had a lot of different players step up throughout the end of the season to make big plays,” said Freeland. “The thing that makes this team special is that all 12 players have a positive impact during games, even if they don’t get to play one minute. We look forward to the NCAA Tournament (this week).”
Robinson, Wilkins and Valley joined Barry’s Jackie Perez and Ana Elezovic, as well as Ivana Grbic from Eckerd, on the All-Tournament Team. Perez had Barry’s high of 15 points, with Elezovic adding 10 points and seven rebounds. Kaylia Richardson had 12 points and nine boards.
The Sharks will find out their postseason fate on Sunday night at 10 p.m. on the NCAA.com Selection Show. Fans can click on THIS LINK at that time to learn NSU’s opponent, date and time, and location of their South Region opener next week.