Tag: #3 Men’s Basketball

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Awards Committee and Small College Basketball announced the Bevo Francis Top-50 watch list for the 2024-25 season. Dallas Graziani, MJ Iraldi and Ryker Cisarik all maintained their spot on the watch list from the original Top-100, which was announced in January.  

The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball – NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, and NCCAA. Considerations include season statistics, individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements.  

Graziani, a junior point guard, is the engine that drives the No. 3 Sharks top-scoring offense, leading NCAA Division II with 233 assists and is averaging 9.7 assists-per-game on the season. Graziani also ranks fourth nationally in steals (70), which leads the Sunshine State Conference. Graziani has recorded 11 double-doubles on the 2024-25 season. Graziani set the program record assists in a game, totaling 17, against St. Thomas Aquinas on November 3, 2024, the junior tied his own record on January 29th, in a Sunshine State Conference game against Lynn.  

Graziani is shooting 43% from the field and ranks fourth on the Sharks in points-per-game (12.8) and has scored at least 20 points on four occasions during the 2024-25 season, including a season-high of 26 against Eckerd on February 8th. In his Nova Southeastern Basketball career, Graziani has accumulated a record of 67-1 in games he has played. 

Iraldi, the leading scorer in the Sunshine State Conference, has recorded at least 30 points in six games. Iraldi averaged 30.5 points in a pair of SSC victories for the Sharks against Palm Beach Atlantic and Saint Leo last week. On the season, Iradi is shooting at a 55/44/84% clip, while averaging 23.8 points-per-game and leads the SSC in three-point field goal percentage (44%).  

Iraldi has had a break-out campaign in his second season as a Shark, setting career highs in field goals (216), field goal percentage (0.554), three-pointers (49), three-point percentage (0.438), assists (70), points (571), and points-per-game (23.8). Iraldi was also recognized on the Trevor Hudgins Award Top-25 Watch List by Small College Basketball.  

Cisarik has continued to be the most efficient shooter in the Sunshine State Conference, in his final year of collegiate basketball. Cisarik leads the Sharks in field goal percentage (59.5%), rebounds (181), rebounds-per-game (7.5) and blocks (35), and ranks second on the team in points (431), points-per-game (18.0). Cisarik has scored over 20 points in nine games and has recorded over 30 points in two games, while adding four double-doubles.  

Cisarik has set career-highs in starts (22), minutes-per-game (25.8), field goals (156), field goal percentage (59.5), free throws (92), free throw percentage (79.3), rebounds (181), rebounds-per-game (7.5), assists (67), blocks (35), steals (36), points (431), and points-per-game (18.0). Cisarik joined Iraldi on the Trevor Hudgins Award Top-25 Watch List by Small College Basketball.  

No. 3 Nova Southeastern has won 10 consecutive games and clinched at least a share of the Sunshine State Conference regular season title for the fourth consecutive season. The Sharks return to action, and will look to clinch the Sunshine State Conference title, on Wednesday, February 19th, against Florida Southern. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Jenkins Field House. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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SAINT LEO, Fla. – Led by a second consecutive, sixth overall, 30-point game by MJ Iraldi, the third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team won its tenth consecutive game, defeating the Saint Leo Lions 102-73 on Saturday evening at the Marion Bowman Center. With NSU’s victory and a loss by Florida Southern, Nova Southeastern has now clinched at least a share of the Sunshine State Conference regular season championship for the fourth consecutive season. 

Head Coach Jim Crutchfield improves to 13-0 versus Saint Leo as the Nova Southeastern Men’s Basketball Coach. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 23-1, 15-1 SSC | Saint Leo 10-15, 5-12 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 102 | Saint Leo 73
Location: Marion Bowman Center | Saint Leo, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball 

First Half – Dallas Graziani and MJ Iraldi combined to open the game by making five three-pointers, giving the Sharks a 15-8 lead within five minutes. Tyler Eberhart finished a pair of lay-ups, starting an 8-2 run for NSU, pushing the advantage to 23-10. Graziani hit his fourth three-pointer of the first half before Iraldi recorded six consecutive points for the Sharks, as NSU opened up a 32-16 lead with under nine minutes remaining in the half. Nova Southeastern went into the halftime break leading 56-40 over the Lions, as Iraldi closed out the opening half by scoring the final seven points for NSU. 

Second Half – In the early minutes of the second half, Eli Allen notched a steal and immediately followed with a fast-break lay-up, giving NSU a 60-42 lead. Ryker Cisarik started a 14-2 run for the Sharks, which spanned over five minutes of game action, as Nova Southeastern was able to push the lead to 77-53 over the Lions. Alex Mangold notched a three-point bucket, giving the Sharks a 30-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining. Nova Southeastern closed out its tenth consecutive victory, beating Saint Leo – for the 13th time under head coach Jim Crutchfield – 102-73. 

MJ Iraldi: 30 points (sixth time this season), 12-21 FG, 4-6 3PT
Dallas Graziani: 21 points, six assists, 5-7 3PT
Tyler Eberhart: 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, 5-6 FG
Ryker Cisarik: 10 points, five rebounds, 5-8 FG

No. 3 Nova Southeastern will look to clinch the program’s fourth consecutive Sunshine State Conference Regular Season Championship on Wednesday, February 19th, as the Sharks travel to take on No. 21 Florida Southern at the Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Fla. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – MJ Iraldi recorded his fifth 30-point game of the season, scoring a game-high 31, as the third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks defeated the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 94-55 on Wednesday night at the Rick Case Arena, as NSU avenged their loss against the Sailfish on January 8th (84-87). The Sharks now hold a three-game lead over Florida Southern for the Sunshine State Conference regular season crown, with five games remaining in the regular season. 

Nova Southeastern has now won 76 consecutive games at the Rick Case Arena, four shy of tying the NCAA Division II record, dating back to February 26, 2020. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 22-1, 14-1 SSC | Palm Beach Atlantic 16-7, 9-6 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 94 | Palm Beach Atlantic 55
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – Dallas Graziani took over the game in the early minutes, sparking an 8-0 run, as the Sharks took an 11-4 lead over Palm Beach Atlantic before the first media timeout. Nova Southeastern continued to pour it on, extending the advantage to 20-7 within the first eight minutes of the SSC tilt. Late in the half, MJ Iraldi knocked down three consecutive three-pointers, pushing the Sharks to a 47-17 lead. NSU went into the break leading 47-20 over PBA. In the opening half, Iraldi nearly outscored the Sailfish by himself, as the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year contender totaled 19 points, making five three-pointers. Nova Southeastern forced 12 turnovers by the Sailfish in the opening half and outscored PBA, 16-2 off of those turnovers. 

Second Half – The Sharks continued to hold a sizable advantage over PBA, netting a pair of fast-break buckets from Iraldi and Ross Reeves to extend the lead to 59-31. Iraldi continued his onslaught, putting NSU in front 66-35 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Ryker Cisarik forced a steal and went coast-to-coast with a transition dunk, which sparked a high-flying 12-0 run by Nova Southeastern as the Sharks extended the lead to 78-37. Head Coach Jim Crutchfield gave the reserve unit some extended run, as Nova Southeastern avenged their lone loss by defeating the PBA Sailfish 94-55. 

MJ Iraldi: 31 points, 5-8 3PT, five rebounds, two steals
Dallas Graziani: 10 points, seven assists, four rebounds
Ryker Cisarik: 15 rebounds (T8th all-time in a single game), eight assists, eight points

No. 3 Nova Southeastern hits the road to play Saint Leo in a Sunshine State Conference game at the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Sparked by the 11th double-double of the season by Dallas Graziani (26 points/15 assists), the third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks defeated the Eckerd Tritons 101-85 on Saturday afternoon at the Rick Case Arena. Ryker Cisarik added 21 points, shooting 60% from the field, while Jamie Qualley had a perfect night shooting (4-4 FG), scoring 13 points. 

Nova Southeastern now has won 75 consecutive games at the Rick Case Arena, five short of tying the NCAA Division II record. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 21-1, 13-1 SSC | Eckerd 10-13, 5-10 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 101 | Eckerd 85
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – The Sharks controlled the game from the opening tip, forcing an early turnover by the Tritons, before scoring nine unanswered points in the first four minutes. Ross Reeves started the run, while Tyler Eberhart, Dallas Graziani, and Ryan Davis all got involved on the scoreboard. Eckerd responded with a 14-2 run, taking their first lead of the game. Midway through the half, Graziani put the Sharks back in front 20-19 with a lay-up off an assist from Eberhart. Both the Tritons and Sharks exchanged buckets back-and-forth the remainder of the half, as NSU went into the break leading 44-38. 

Second Half – An early three-point barrage from NSU, gave Nova Southeastern a 62-46 advantage, as Jamie Qualley, Graziani, Eli Allen and MJ Iraldi all recorded buckets in the opening minutes of the second half. Ryker Cisarik scored five consecutive points for NSU, off a pair of assists from Graziani, giving NSU a 67-54 lead over Eckerd. Later in the half, Qualley hit back-to-back three-pointers, pushing the Sharks’ advantage to 84-69. Nova Southeastern maintained the double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the game, closing out the 101-85 victory over Eckerd for the program’s eighth consecutive win and 75th straight at the Rick Case Arena. 

Dallas Graziani: 26 points, 15 assists (11th double double), three steals
Ryker Cisarik: 21 points, 9-15 FG, eight rebounds, two steals, one block
Jamie Qualley: 13 points, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3PT

No. 3 Nova Southeastern returns to the hard wood to play Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday, February 12th, at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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TAMPA, Fla. – Led by 27 points from Ryker Cisarik, the third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team earned their 20th win of the season, defeating the Tampa Spartans 100-66 on Wednesday evening at the Bob Martinez Center. 

The Sharks now hold a three-game lead over Florida Southern in the Sunshine State Conference. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 20-1, 12-1 SSC | Tampa 14-8, 6-8 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 100 | Tampa 66
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
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First Half – The Sharks trailed early in the game against the Spartans, but four consecutive points from Alex Mangold tied the game at 11-11. An 8-1 run by NSU, sparked by MJ Iraldi, Ryker Cisarik and Dallas Graziani, gave Nova Southeastern a 19-12 lead. Midway through the first half, NSU led 30-17. Late in the first half, an 11-0 run by the Sharks extended the advantage to 53-26 over the Spartans. Nova Southeastern went into the break leading 55-29, as Cisarik closed the half with a lay-up to beat the buzzer. 

Second Half – NSU and Tampa traded buckets back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the second half. Mangold and Jamie Qualley led a 10-0 run, extending the NSU advantage to 77-52 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Moments later, the Sharks put together another extended run, extending the advantage to 92-57 as Iraldi and Cisarik combined to score 10 consecutive points for NSU. Nova Southeastern closed out its seventh consecutive win, 20th on the season, defeating Tampa 100-66. 

Ryker Cisarik: 27 points, 10-16 FG, nine rebounds, two blocks
MJ Iraldi: 15 points, three rebounds
Dallas Graziani: 10 assists, six points
Eli Allen: 11 points, 5-7 FG, six rebounds
Alex Mangold: 10 points, 4-7 FG

No. 3 Nova Southeastern returns to action on Saturday, February 8th, hosting the Eckerd Tritons at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball
 

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Awards Committee and Small College Basketball announced the Trevor Hudgins Top-25 Watch List for the 2024-25 season. The Trevor Hudgins Award is presented annually to the senior who has had the best overall four-year (or five-year) career within Small College Basketball. MJ Iraldi and Ryker Cisarik represented No. 3 Nova Southeastern on the watch list and are the only representatives from the Sunshine State Conference. 

John McCarthy, the founder of Small College Basketball, introduced the Trevor Hudgins Award during the 2023-24 season and the inaugural award was presented to KJ Jones II (Emmanuel). 

“Congratulations to the 25 players that have made the Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List. Each of these players are in the final year of their remarkable college careers, playing their entire career at the small college level,” said McCarthy. “Of all the players in the country that have played their entire career at the small college level, this is an elite group. I am grateful to the members of our National Awards Committee for their insight and information about many players under consideration for this list.”   

Iraldi and Cisarik, both members of the Bevo Francis Award Top-100 Watch List from Small College Basketball, have had excellent seasons for the third-ranked Sharks.  

Iraldi has enjoyed a breakout campaign for NSU in 2024-25, starting all 20 games for the Sharks on the season and leading the Sunshine State Conference, while ranking eighth nationally, with 24 points-per-game. Iraldi has scored over 30 points on four occasions during the 2024-25 season, most recently on December 14th in a “County-Line Cup” matchup against Barry where he recorded a career-high 33, while shooting 11-24 from the field and making five three-pointers. Iraldi has tallied two double-doubles on the season, the first coming against No. 7 Gannon in the season opener (32 points/10 rebounds) and the second versus Lynn (29 points/11 rebounds) on January 29th.  

In his two seasons at Nova Southeastern, Iraldi has appeared in 51 games, starting 49, totaling 903 points – 17.7 per-game – shooting 52% from the field, while grabbing 273 rebounds, tallying 127 assists and adding 89 steals. Iraldi began his collegiate career at Chestnut Hill (PA.), where he played 46 games across two seasons, scoring 642 points (14.0 ppg).  

Cisarik, in his second season at NSU, has played the best basketball of his collegiate career since joining Head Coach Jim Crutchfield‘s Sharks. In 20 games during the 2024-25 season, Cisarik has already set career-highs in points (365), points-per-game (18.3), and steals (29). Cisarik is the most efficient shooter in the Sunshine State Conference (60%), while also shooting at 40% from beyond the arc. Cisarik has recorded four double-doubles, twice in top-10 matchups, opening the season with a 17 point, 11 rebound, performance against No. 7 Gannon, and adding a 22 point, 10 rebound game, versus No. 8 Florida Southern.  

At Nova Southeastern, Cisarik has appeared in 47 games – starting 39 – registering 613 points, 292 rebounds, 59 blocks, 56 steals, while shooting 55% from the field. Cisarik began his career at Black Hills State (SD), where he played three seasons, appearing in 71 games, starting 14, totaling 306 points – 4.3 per-game – collecting 236 rebounds and recorded 29 blocks. Cisarik has been a part of three NCAA Regional Championship teams (2021-22, BHSU; 2022-23, BHSU; 2023-24 NSU), appearing in three NCAA Division II Final Fours, and competing in the 2023-24 NCAA Division II national championship game.  

The award is named in honor of Northwest Missouri State’s Trevor Hudgins, who had a historic career with the Bearcats. He led the Bearcats to three consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships. During his career, Hudgins started in every game and never missed one. He also never lost an NCAA Tournament game, leading the Bearcats to a remarkable 17-0 record in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Hudgins was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. He holds both the NWMSU scoring and assists records and finished his career with 2,829 points, which ranks first all time in the 110 year history of the MIAA. 

The 2025 season marks the second time that the Trevor Hudgins Award will be awarded. In 2024 KJ Jones of Emannuel College was named the inaugural winner. On March 1st, the list will be reduced to 15 players. The video of the finalists will be released on Saturday April 5th, and the award winner will be announced through a video presentation on Monday April 7th, at halftime of the NCAA Division I National Championship Game. 

Considerations for the Trevor Hudgins Award are overall career statistics and achievements, team achievements, awards, and personal character. The player must have played his entire career at the small college level. This is the highest award given to a four-year (or five-year) player within Small College Basketball. The overall intent of the Trevor Hudgins Award is two-fold: 1) To keep the collegiate legacy of Trevor Hudgins alive and continue to tell his story to the next generation, and 2) To provide a national platform to honor outstanding players – and ultimately one player – within small college basketball on an annual basis. The Trevor Hudgins Award is sponsored by Northwest Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State Alumni Association, the Scribner Family Foundation Fund, Windmill Benefits and the Kansas State Credit Union. 

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. The Sharks will be back in action on Wednesday, February 5th, as they take on the Tampa Spartans. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  

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MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – No. 3 Nova Southeastern Men’s Basketball dominated the Barry Buccaneers 103-63 in the second edition of the “County-Line Cup,” on Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center. MJ Iraldi, recently named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top-25 watch list, scored a game-high 23 points, shooting 75% from the field, while Alex Mangold added 17 points (6-7 FG) off the bench, in addition to Jamie Qualley recording 10 points (3-5 3PT) in the victory. 

No. 3 Nova Southeastern now holds a two game lead over Florida Southern in the Sunshine State Conference standings. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 19-1, 11-1 SSC | Barry 9-12, 5-8 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 103 | Barry 63
Location: Health & Sports Center | Miami Shores, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – The Sharks and Buccaneers opened the game by exchanging buckets back-and-forth in the games first minutes, with Barry taking a 10-9 lead. The Buccaneers advantage was short-lived as Eli Allen opened a 14-0 run spanning over three minutes of game action, as NSU opened up a 23-10 lead. During the extended run, Alex Mangold and MJ Iraldi each recorded five consecutive points for Nova Southeastern. The Sharks continued to pour it on early in the game, as midway through the first half NSU led 34-13 over Barry. Dallas Graziani made his impact felt on both ends of the floor, setting up Jamie Qualley with a three-pointer before recording a steal and making a jumper of his own, extending the NSU lead to 43-13. Iraldi tallied eight straight points pushing the advantage to 51-17. The Sharks went into the halftime break leading 64-23 over Barry.

Second Half – Early in the second half, Ross Reeves added a three-pointer, as NSU led 70-28. The Sharks continued to dominate in the “County-Line Cup” clash, sealing the 103-63 victory over the Buccaneers. Each member of the Sharks Men’s Basketball team recorded double-digit minutes in the effort.

MJ Iraldi: 23 points, 9-12 FG, six rebounds, two steals
Alex Mangold: 17 points, 6-7 FG
Dallas Graziani: 13 points, six assists, four rebounds
Jamie Qualley: 10 points, 3-5 3PT

No. 3 Nova Southeastern takes on Tampa in Sunshine State Conference action on Wednesday, February 5th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Led by double-doubles from MJ Iraldi (29 points/11 rebounds) and Dallas Graziani (12 rebounds/17 assists), as well as 29 points from Ryker Cisarik, the No. 3 Nova Southeastern Sharks won their fifth consecutive game by defeating the Lynn Fighting Knights 104-88 on Wednesday night at the Rick Case Arena. Graziani’s 17 assists tied his own mark for second-most in a single game in program history. Nova Southeastern has now won 74 consecutive games at the Rick Case Arena, dating back to February 26, 2020. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 18-1, 10-1 SSC | Lynn 13-5, 8-4 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 104 | Lynn 88
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – Ryker Cisarik, MJ Iraldi, and Dallas Graziani combined to score the first 10 points for the Sharks, as NSU opened the game on a 10-2 run over the first three minutes of action. A flurry of three pointers from the Fighting Knights brought Lynn back into the game, as they were able to tie the contest at 14-14. Midway through the opening half, Nova Southeastern led 29-26 over Lynn. Late in the half, a second chance bucket from Tyler Eberhart, followed by a three-pointer from Ross Reeves, and a transition lay-up from Iraldi, gave Nova Southeastern a 49-40 advantage. Iraldi capped off a 20-point first half by scoring the final seven points for NSU, sending the Sharks into the break with a 58-50 lead. 

Second Half – Early in the second half, Alex Mangold and Alex Sessoms each added a bucket, pushing the NSU lead to 66-58. Moments later, an emphatic slam from Cisarik, off an assist from Eberhart, gave Nova Southeastern a 77-62 advantage. The Sharks maintained their double digit advantage for the remainder of the game, defeating the Lynn Fighting Knights 104-88 for NSU’s 74th consecutive win at the Rick Case Arena. NSU dominated the Sunshine State Conference match-ups in several areas – outscoring Lynn 17-6 off turnovers; 15-3 off second chance points; 11-1 from the bench; 58-22 inside the paint and 25-1 in transition. 

MJ Iraldi: 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11-19 FG, six assists
Ryker Cisarik: 29 points, 11-15 FG, six rebounds
Dallas Graziani: 12 points, 17 assists (second-most in a single game in program history)
Ross Reeves: 14 points, 6-8 FG
Tyler Eberhart: nine assists, 12 rebounds

No. 3 Nova Southeastern takes on the Barry Buccaneers in the second contest of the “County-Line Cup” rivalry in Miami Shores on Saturday, February 1st. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a game which featured 28 points from MJ Iraldi, the ninth double-double of the season from Dallas Graziani, 18 points from Ryker Cisarik and a perfect shooting night from the field from Tyler Eberhart, the third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks defeated the Embry-Riddle Eagles 91-78 on Wednesday evening at the Rick Case Arena, completing the first half of Sunshine State Conference play with a 9-1 record. No. 3 Nova Southeastern has now won 73 consecutive games at the Rick Case Arena dating back to February 26, 2020. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 17-1, 9-1 SSC | Embry-Riddle 11-7, 5-5 SSC
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 91 | Embry-Riddle 78
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – The Sharks and Eagles started the game by exchanging buckets back-and-forth, before a three-pointer from Alex Mangold sparked an 18-0 run, opening up a 28-9 lead for NSU in the first nine minutes of action. During the run, which lasted over four minutes of game time, Cisarik, Eberhart, Graziani, and Eli Allen all contributed to the score-sheet for NSU. Nova Southeastern maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the half, heading into the break leading 49-28 over Embry-Riddle. NSU dominated inside the paint in the opening half, outscoring the Eagles 32-14. Additionally, the Sharks outscored Embry-Riddle 14-2 off turnovers in the first 20-minutes of play. 

Second Half – Iraldi, Graziani, and Eberhart led an 11-2 run for NSU in the early moments of the second half, pushing the Sharks’ advantage to 60-30 over the Eagles. At the midway point of the half, NSU led 68-46 over ERAU following four consecutive points from Iraldi. A three-pointer from Eberhart extended the Nova Southeastern advantage to 72-53 with less than eight minutes remaining. Embry-Riddle attempted to come back in the game, cutting their deficit to single digits (79-70) but a dunk from Cisarik – off an assist from Graziani – reclaimed the double-digit advantage for NSU. The Sharks closed out their 73rd consecutive victory at the Rick Case Arena, defeating Embry-Riddle 91-75. 

MJ Iraldi: 28 points, 9-12 FG, 8-8 FT, five rebounds, four assists
Dallas Graziani: 11 points, 12 assists (ninth double-double)
Ryker Cisarik: 18 points, 6-8 FG, seven rebounds, five assists
Tyler Eberhart: 13 points, 5-5 FG

No. 3 Nova Southeastern returns to action on Wednesday, January 29th, taking on the Lynn Fighting Knights in Sunshine State Conference play at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – The third-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team won their third consecutive game, defeating the Florida Tech Panthers 97-70 in a Sunshine State Conference contest on Saturday evening at the Clemente Center. MJ Iraldi had a highly efficient night, shooting 75% from the field, and scored a team-high 20-points in the effort, off the bench, Jamie Qualley netted 12 points in just six minutes of action. 

Records: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 16-1, 8-1 SSC | Florida Tech 3-14, 0-9 SSC 
Score: No. 3 Nova Southeastern 97 | Florida Tech 70
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla. 
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First Half – The Sharks started the game on a 9-0 run, as Tyler Eberhart, Ryker Cisarik and Ross Reeves got into the action early. Florida Tech flipped the momentum, outscoring NSU 14-2, as the Panthers took a 14-11 lead forcing Head Coach Jim Crutchfield to take a timeout. MJ Iraldi recorded six consecutive points, before Cisarik knocked down a three-pointer, giving the Sharks a 24-20 lead. Late in the half, a jumper from Tommy Sala pushed the NSU advantage to 37-26 over the Panthers. Cisarik added a pair of free throws, sending the game into halftime with Nova Southeastern leading 49-35.

NSU’s aggressive defensive efforts forced the Panthers into 13 turnovers in the first half, which led to the Sharks outscoring Florida Tech 20-9 off turnovers, and 18-4 in transition in the opening frame.

Nova Southeastern dominated inside the paint in the first half, outscoring the Panthers 24-2. 

Second Half – NSU took advantage of a pair of miscues by the Panthers and came out of the break on a 6-0 run, as the Sharks extended their lead to 55-35 in the first three minutes. Nova Southeastern’s reserves preserved the Sharks’ sizable lead, as Ryan Davis and Alex Mangold both added a pair of buckets to give NSU a 70-45 advantage. Late in the game, Jamie Qualley knocked down three consecutive three-pointers,  giving Nova Southeastern a 94-61 lead with less than three minutes remaining. The Sharks closed out the 97-70 victory and took full possession of first place in the Sunshine State Conference with the win over Florida Tech. 

MJ Iraldi: 20 points, 8-12 FG
Ryker Cisarik: 13 points, 3-4 FG, four rebounds, three assists
Tyler Eberhart: 10 points
Jamie Qualley: 12 points (career-high), 4-6 FG

No. 3 Nova Southeastern is back in action on Wednesday, January 22nd, hosting the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a Sunshine State Conference game at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball 

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