Tag: #24 Women’s Basketball

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Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the largest private research university in Florida and a top employer in the state, with more than $5 billion in projected economic impact. NSU is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation among universities with the highest level of research activity.

 
 
About Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Athletics
NSU Athletics is dedicated to fostering excellence in academics, athletics, and personal development for its student-athletes. Competing in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) and NCAA Division II, the Sharks have captured 15 NCAA national championships, 50 individual national titles, and 54 SSC championships. In the classroom, NSU student-athletes have achieved a GPA above 3.00 for 29 consecutive semesters. With a proud tradition of championship success and back-to-back Top 10 finishes in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings, the Sharks have firmly established themselves as one of NCAA Division II’s premier athletic programs. For more information, visit nsusharks.com.
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Nova Southeastern extends its gratitude to Head Women’s Basketball Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry, who has accepted the Head Women’s Basketball Coach position at Florida Atlantic University. Freeland-Curry has led the Sharks for 13 seasons, amassing 274 wins at NSU.

“We want to thank Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry for her dedication and contributions to Nova Southeastern University’s women’s basketball over the past 14 years,” stated Interim Director of Athletics Ryan Romero. “Her leadership has played a significant role in the program’s success, and we appreciate the impact she has had on our student-athletes. We wish her all the best in this next chapter at FAU.”

Freeland-Curry has played a vital role in the Sharks’ success over the last 14 years, leading NSU to four NCAA Elite Eight appearances, a feat that ties two other NCAA Division II programs for the most Elite Eight appearances in the last decade. She has also garnered three Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year honors, along with four SSC Regular Season titles (2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2023-24) and two SSC Tournament titles (2013-14, 2014-15).

During her tenure, Freeland-Curry has completely revitalized the Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball program, cementing herself as the greatest coach in program history. She coached countless All-SSC members, eight All-Americans, and two conference Players of the Year.

“With sincere gratitude, I want to thank all of the NSU players, assistant coaches, and administrators who have helped us build a championship program over the last fourteen seasons,” said Freeland-Curry. “We had a lot of great times together, and I will cherish our friendships and memories forever. Specifically, I want to thank former Director of Athletics Michael Mominey and Chancellor Ferrero for believing in my vision and for the opportunity to take over the NSU women’s basketball program in 2011. I’m proud to leave the program in a better place than when I arrived, and I will always be cheering for NSU Athletics!”

Freeland-Curry will take over the reins at FAU beginning in the 2025-26 season.

Nova Southeastern Athletics will begin a national search for the next Head Women’s Basketball Coach immediately.
 

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JACKSON, TN. – The #24 ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team fell in heartbreak fashion in Monday night’s South Region Championship game against the #9 ranked and first-seeded Union (TN) University Bulldogs. Union took down the Sharks 65-60 in a thrilling back-and-forth matchup. 

       
     
SCORE: #24 Nova Southeastern 60, #9 Union (TN) 65 
RECORDS: #24 Nova Southeastern (27-7, 16-4 SSC), #9 Union (TN) (32-3, 24-1 GSC)       
LOCATION: Jackson, TN | Fred DeLay Gymnasium        
GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball     
  

First Half – Union came out hot, scoring the game’s first five points. A jump shot by Madison Cloonan kickstarted an 8-1 Shark run to push NSU ahead 8-6. The Bulldogs weathered the storm, outscoring the Sharks 13-7 to take a 19-15 lead going into the second quarter. With 6:53 left to play in the half, the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 31-17. NSU stayed composed and closed the quarter on an 8-5 run to cut their deficit to 11 points heading into the halftime break. 

Second Half – The Bulldogs pushed their advantage to 39-25 but an 11-2 run by NSU capped off by an and one from Michaela Cloonan brought the Sharks within five. The Sharks continued to stay aggressive offensively as they trailed 41-47 going into the fourth quarter. NSU’s defense was tenacious throughout the first four minutes of the quarter bringing their deficit to 50-53 with 6:16 left to play. The Sharks’ run continued as a layup from Dash Shaw tied the game at 58 a piece at the 1:41 mark. Union picked up the intensity offensively and closed out the game on a 7-2 run to secure the 65-60 win and punch their ticket to the Elite Eight. 

The Sharks have concluded their 2024-25 season with a 27-7 overall record. 
 
To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball throughout the offseason, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_WBasketball. 

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JACKSON, TN. – After falling in last year’s South Region Championship game against Tampa, Nova Southeastern has a chance for redemption in tonight’s Sweet Sixteen matchup against a different foe, the first-seeded and #9 ranked Union University Bulldogs. 

This will be the seventh all-time matchup between both teams, with the Bulldogs winning five of those seven games. Union won the last matchup against NSU 77-56 in a neutral-site game on November 8th, 2019. The last time each side faced off in the NCAA Tournament was during the 2018-19 season when the Sharks took down the Bulldogs 71-66 in the first round of the tournament.
 

WHAT TO WATCH / HOW THEY GOT HERE 

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN 

• Corina Conley has been the Sharks’ leading scorer, averaging 17 points per game through two games of action. The senior kicked off the tournament with a bang, pouring in a career-high 30 points against the six-seeded Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. 

• Defensively, NSU has posed ample problems for their opponents during the tournament, accumulating 14 steals across both games. 

NSU started the NCAA South Region Tournament with a victory over six-seeded Alabama-Huntsville, taking down the Chargers 80-72. The Sharks returned a day later and defeated SSC foe Embry-Riddle 66-63 in a rematch of this year’s SSC Championship.

WHAT TO WATCH / HOW THEY GOT HERE 

UNION (TN)
 

• The Bulldogs have three players averaging double-digit points per game (Olivia Lee, Bethany Dillard, and Emily Jones). 

In the tournament’s opening round, Union cruised past Miles in a comfortable 107-69 victory. The following day featured a GSC matchup between the Bulldogs and Lee, where Union continued its impressive play, shutting down the Lady Flames’ high-octane offense and securing the 75-53 win.

Tip-off between the No. 24 ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team and No. 9 ranked Union (TN) is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST on Monday at Fred DeLay Gymnasium in Jackson, TN. To stay up-to-date on the Sharks throughout their NCAA Tournament run, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_WBasketball. 

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JACKSON, TN. – In what was a highly anticipated rematch, the #24 ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team avenged their SSC Championship loss in the second of the NCAA Tournament, taking down the #13 ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles on Saturday evening at the Fred Delay Gymnasium. The Sharks return to the NCAA South Region Championship for the second consecutive season while also earning their 27th victory, the first time they reached 27 wins since the 2014-15 season. Double digit efforts from Payton Graber (15) and Madison Cloonan (11) spearheaded the Sharks’ offensive attack.
 

      
    
SCORE: #24 Nova Southeastern 66, #13 Embry-Riddle 63
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (27-6, 16-4 SSC), Embry-Riddle (27-5,17-3 SSC)      
LOCATION: Jackson, TN | Fred DeLay Gymnasium       
GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball    
 

First Half – Embry Riddle jumped out to a 9-7 run before the Sharks closed out the quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 16-12 lead going into the second quarter. Four consecutive points by Aubrey Stupp and Mercedes Simmons kicked off the second quarter action, extending NSU’s lead to eight points. The Eagles answered with a 9-2 run to go ahead 23-22 with 4:23 left to play in the half. Embry-Riddle’s offensive onslaught continued as they held a 32-27 lead going into the halftime break.

Second Half – The Eagles came out hot, taking a 41-34 lead midway through the quarter. A jumper by Madison Cloonan cut NSU’s deficit to three points but the Eagles continued to keep the intensity up offensively, taking a 52-46 lead going into the final frame. Jess Moors jump started a 10-0 run capped off by free throws from Stupp to push the Sharks ahead 56-52. The rest of the quarter featured a back-and-forth affair but made free throws from Jess Moors and Corina Conley secured the victory for NSU, sending them to the Sweet Sixteen.

Payton Graber – 15 points

Madison Cloonan – 11 points

Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – What a game! Both teams fought hard for forty minutes. I’m proud of our execution down the stretch to win this game. Excited for our players to play in the Sweet 16 on Monday!!!

The No. 24 Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Basketball team will return to action Monday, March 17th in the South Region Championship as they await the winner of the Union (TN)/ Lee game.  To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_WBasketball. 
 

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JACKSON, TN. – The 24th ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team is set to face SSC foe and the 13th ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday evening in Jackson, TN. 
 

Nova Southeastern Sharks (26-6, 16-4 SSC) 
Last Game: Nova Southeastern 80, Alabama Huntsville 73 (First Round of NCAA Tournament) 

Corina Conley was sensational in NSU’s victory over the Chargers, leading the Sharks with a career-high 30 points on 11/13 shooting. 

The Sharks and the Eagles have faced off against each other three previous times this season with the Eagles winning two out of three matchups. 

The last meeting between the teams was in the SSC Championship where the Sharks fell 53-51 after a late surge by the Eagles. 

Both teams have yet to face each other in NCAA Tournament Play. 

Embry-Riddle Eagles (27-4, 17-3 SSC) 
Last Game: Embry-Riddle 70, West Florida 56 (First Round of NCAA Tournament) 

Kailey Turpening was at the forefront of the Eagles offensive attack against West Florida, leading ERU with a career high 23 points in the victory. 

Embry-Riddle is coming off its first SSC Tournament title in school history and will look to continue its historic season Saturday evening. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM EST at Fred DeLay Gymnasium in Jackson, TN. 
 
To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WBasketball. To support the Women’s Basketball program, click here. 

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JACKSON, TN. – The #24 ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team opened up the NCAA Tournament with a thrilling victory over the sixth-seeded Alabama-Huntsville Chargers on Friday afternoon at the Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Corina Conley was sensational, spearheading the Sharks with a career high 30 points on 11/13 shooting. Michaela Cloonan rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Sharks with 12 points.
 

      
    
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 80, Alabama-Huntsville 73
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (26-6, 16-4 SSC), Alabama Huntsville (25-7, 18-4 SSC)      
LOCATION: Jackson, TN | Fred DeLay Gymnasium       
GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball    

First Half – Alabama Huntsville came out firing on all cylinders, taking an early 15-8 lead before eight straight points by Conley brought the Sharks within four. With 1:45 left to play in the quarter, a layup by Michaela Cloonan cut NSU’s deficit to 17-19. The Chargers then closed out the quarter outscoring the Sharks 7-4 to hold onto a 26-21 advantage going into the second quarter. NSU kicked off the quarter on an 8-0 run, featuring baskets from Corina Conley (5) and Mercedes Simmons (3). The Chargers weathered the storm, cutting their deficit to one point midway through the quarter. The rest of the quarter featured a back-and-forth affair as the Sharks held on to a 45-39 lead going into the halftime break.

Second Half – The Chargers started the second half on a 12-0 run to go ahead 51-47 before a layup by Michaela Cloonan stopped Alabama-Huntsville run. Tenacious defense by NSU kept the Chargers at bay as they tied the game at 55 apiece going into the final frame. Aubrey Stupp jump started a 6-0 NSU run to take a 61-55 advantage with 7:34 left to play. UAH clawed their way back and went up 66-65 towards the end of the quarter. Conley then took matters into her own hands, scoring nine straight points to push the Sharks ahead 74-68, ultimately leading NSU to an 80-73 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Corina Conley – 30 points on 11/13 shooting, six rebounds, scored 1000th career point. 

Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – It’s always good to get the first win under our belt in the NCAA. Our players were focused, determined and composed for forty minutes. And, what a game for Corina!!!  Round two tomorrow!

The Sharks will return to action tomorrow in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They will take on Embry-Riddle in a rematch of this year’s SSC Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.

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JACKSON, TN. – The #24 ranked and third-seeded Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team returns to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Sharks look to make another deep postseason push, kicking off the tournament against the six-seeded Alabama Huntsville Chargers on Friday afternoon in Jackson, Tennessee. 

Nova Southeastern Sharks (25-6, 16-4 SSC)
Last Game: Nova Southeastern 51, Embry-Riddle 55 (SSC Championship) 

The Sharks have made the NCAA Tournament in nine out of the 13 seasons during Freeland-Curry’s tenure and are coming off their first SSC Championship appearance since the 2014-15 season. NSU has relied on its complete team effort, as it ranks sixth in all of Division II and top 15 across all NCAA Levels in bench points per game (32.1). NSU also ranks 10th across all NCAA Levels in total bench scoring (995 points). Bench scoring accounts for 46% of the team’s point average.

The Sharks and the Chargers have played each other three previous times, with NSU being victorious in all three matchups; the last meeting between the two teams was in November 2018, when the Sharks won 72-68. Today’s matchup will be the first time both teams have faced off in the NCAA Tournament. 

Alabama Huntsville Chargers (25-6, 18-4 SSC)
Last Game: Alabama-Huntsville 52, Union (TN) 58 (GSC Championship) 

Head Coach Allen Sharpe has completely turned around the program in his first season at the helm, leading his squad to the Gulf South Conference Championship a year after the Chargers finished the season with a 9-18 overall record.

Alabama-Huntsville is led by GSC and South Region Player of the Year Lili Wilken. The junior is averaging 17.5 points per game, leading the team in scoring and being the second-leading scorer in the GSC. Alexis Woods has also played a big part in the Chargers success, leading the team in shots blocked (11) and three-point percentage (45.5).

Tip-off is scheduled for 1 PM at Fred DeLay Gymnasium in Jackson, TN.

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WBasketball. To support the Women’s Basketball program, click here.

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team stayed in the win column on Wednesday evening, taking down the Lynn Fighting Knights in an SSC battle for their fourth straight victory. Aubrey Stupp led the way for NSU, scoring a team-high 20 points.  

    
       
SCORE: No. 24 Nova Southeastern 78, Lynn 73       
RECORDS: No. 24 Nova Southeastern 7-1, 2-0 SSC, Lynn 4-3, 0-2 SSC         
LOCATION: de Hoernle Sports Center | Boca Raton, Fla.      
GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball    
       

First Half – The Fighting Knights came out strong, scoring nine straight to take an early 9-0 lead. Free throws from Dash Shaw would stop the Knights run before seven consecutive points from Alana Ellis and Corina Conley continued to cut into Lynn’s lead. Both teams traded baskets as the Knights held onto a 20-15 lead going into the second quarter. With 4:00 minutes remaining in the half, a layup from Stupp gave the Sharks their first lead of the game. With just under 30 seconds remaining in the quarter, a late layup from Mercedes Simmons put the Sharks ahead 38-37 as they headed into the break. 

Second Half – The third quarter featured a back-and-forth affair before a three-pointer from Delaney Wolfe put NSU up 51-46, their biggest lead of the game. The Sharks defense continued to stay aggressive but the Knights answered, cutting their deficit to two points heading into the final frame. NSU’s fast-paced offense gave them a seven-point advantage with 6:52 left to play. Lynn wouldn’t back down bringing the game to as close as one point but Nova’s defense held up, ultimately leading the Sharks to a thrilling 78-73 SSC victory over the Lynn Fighting Knights. 

 
Aubrey Stupp: 20 points 

Delaney Wolfe: 12 points, two 3PM 

Payton Graber: 12 points, three steals 

Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – We had a hard-fought win on the road today. Lynn played hard and aggressively for 40 minutes. We got off to a slow start and had to work hard to get up by one point at half-time. It was a back-and-forth game, but big stops down the stretch and a big three and clutch free throws from Delaney sealed the win today.

Aubrey Stupp – This is a tough league and we will get everyone’s best game. I’m Proud of how we fought and got another W in the win column. Any win in the league is a good one. 

Nova Southeastern will have a hiatus before returning to action on Saturday, December 14th to take on SSC rival, the Barry Buccaneers in the County-Line Cup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM

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