FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The fourth-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team continued their hot start to the season, defeating Francis Marion 102-82 on Saturday evening from the Rick Case Arena. The tandem of Will Yoakum (22 points) and RJ Sunahara (27/11 rebounds) led the Sharks to the win, while Jonathan Pierre contributed 18 points off the bench for NSU.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: No. 4 Nova Southeastern 5-0, Francis Marion 3-2
Score: No. 4 Nova Southeastern 102, Francis Marion 82
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half – Nova Southeastern set the tone early on in the contest, as a steal from Sunahara set up a Kobe Rodgers three-point bucket to put NSU ahead 3-0. Yoakum sparked a brief 6-0 run for the Sharks, putting the score at 13-6 with 14:48 remaining in the contest. Pierre knocked down back-to-back three pointers, putting Nova Southeastern in front 21-11. With less than eight minutes remaining in the first half, Rodgers went coast-to-coast, recording a steal and finishing off a fast break dunk to extend the Sharks advantage to 35-19. NSU closed out the first half with a 20-point advantage, as Mike Moore hit a three-pointer right before the buzzer, sending the game into halftime with the Sharks leading 53-33.
Second Half – Francis Marion was able to use the halftime break to make necessary adjustments and cut the NSU lead to just nine points, as the Patriots outscored the Sharks 15-4 over the opening four minutes of the second half. Nearing the midway point of the half, FMU continued to cut into the NSU advantage, putting the score at 69-61, but Sunahara converted an and-one opportunity to put NSU back in front by double digits. The and-one started a streak of seven consecutive points scored by Sunahara, before Yoakum knocked down a three-point attempt, extending the Sharks lead to 79-66. A dunk by Pierre put the Sharks lead at 100-79 with less than two minutes remaining in the game. The Sharks closed out the 102-82 victory, earning their fifth consecutive win to begin the 2022-23 campaign.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
NSU’s top-ranked defense forced 27 turnovers during the contest, leading to the Sharks outscoring the Patriots 32-17 off turnovers.
RJ Sunahara recorded his first double-double of the season, finishing with 27 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to five assists, three blocks, and three steals.
UPCOMING
Sunshine State Conference action begins for the fourth-ranked Sharks, as the matchup with the Fighting Knights of Lymm on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from Boca Raton, Fla. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.