Shaw Falls Just Short of Nova Southeastern, Loses 74-72

Shaw Falls Just Short of Nova Southeastern, Loses 74-72
Sherri Fillingham 12/30/10

(Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Shaw clawed its way back from an 11-point deficit, but failed to get off a possible tying shot in the last four seconds of the game, losing to Nova Southeastern 74-72. The loss comes despite double-doubles by two Lady Bears.

The Lady Bears (6-4) trailed for much of the game, but took a three-point lead early in the second half. Nearly midway through the second half, the Sharks (7-3) scored nine unanswered points to take a lead they would never surrender.

Two players had double-doubles for the Lady Bears: Kyria Buford with 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Aslea Williams with 14 points and 11 boards.

NSU broke on top early, leading by as much as nine with 7:51 left in the half, but Brittany Ransom hit a three which keyed a 10-point scoring run that gave Shaw the 30-29 lead with 3:20 left. Jessica Walter hit a trey for NSU to tie the game, then both teams hit a pair of free throws to head into the locker room with a 35-35 tie at the half.

During the first half, the Lady Bears shot only 33% - 13 for 40. Twenty-three of those shots came from behind the three-point line, with only seven finding the bottom of the net.

Shaw built a three-point lead early in the second, and the two teams played evenly for the first six minutes. With 14:18 left in the game, Williams hit a layup to give Shaw the 46-45 lead.

The bucket would be the last the Lady Bears would score for three minutes when Williams hit a pair of free throws. In the interim, the Sharks ran off nine straight points, building an eight-point advantage.

From there, NSU slowly stretched their lead to 11 with 5:24 left in the game.

Over the last five minutes, Shaw clawed its way back into the game, finding an inside game and hitting critical free throws.

With 13 seconds left, Buford’s three cut the lead to four points, 74-70. The Lady Bears then fouled, and Quinessa Johnson missed the free throw, then fouled Brittney Spencer, who hit both shots to cut the NSU lead to two.

Again the Lady Bears fouled and Johnson again missed the free throw. Buford pulled in the ball, but Shaw could not get off a shot before time ran out.

In addition to Buford and Williams, Ransom hit double digits with 19 points. Spencer led the team with six assists.

Three Sharks hit double digits in scoring: Stephanie Sarosi had 15, Richelle Carach had 14, and Abbie Tepe had 10. Sarosi had 13 rebounds for the double-double, and Tepe led both teams with eight assists.

Tomorrow, the Lady Bears complete their two-game Florida trip by taking on Palm Beach Atlantic University at 1:00 p.m. They return home on Thursday, January 6 to open their CIAA season against Saint Paul’s at 6:00 p.m.