FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team fell to No. 20/18 Nova Southeastern University 69-63 in a loss defined by defense, fouls, and free throws at the Rick Case Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Wednesday night in Sunshine State Conference action.
The Moccasins (7-8, 2-6 SSC) were led by
Sydney Gomes and
Anna Denes both posting double-doubles. Gomes finished with 19 points, 11 boards, and four assists. Denes contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds while
Lily Randgaard finished with 10 points of her own.
The Sharks (14-2, 7-1 SSC) were led by Aubrey Stupp posting a game-high of 31 points.
The game started off as a defensive battle with neither side scoring in the first two minutes of play until Gomes kicked off the scoring with a fastbreak three with just under eight minutes left in the first quarter.
The lack of offense for NSU was in great part due to the Mocs' rebounding and
Sarah Lange's continued defense posting two blocks in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter the Mocs led 14-6, the fewest points they've allowed in a quarter since Rollins' five point third quarter against Florida Southern on Feb. 8th, 2023.
Entering the second quarter, Gomes led the team in points with 10, five coming from the free throw line, and rebounds with four, three of them being defensive rebounds.
When the second quarter started, both teams took some time to get going before Stupp opened up scoring with a three-pointer for the Sharks 90 seconds into the second. The Mocs then responded with a long run of their own, going on a 9-2 run over the next three minutes.
Nova Southeastern went on a 6-0 run over the next two minutes and closed out the quarter with an overall 12-4 run in the final five minutes. The Mocs held on to their lead, staying up 27-25 despite the 19 point quarter from the Sharks.
Out of halftime both sides traded possession over the first minute before a
Lily Randgaard layup and another minute devoid of scoring.
Once the scoring returned so did NSU as they evened the game at 29 before the Mocs got a bucket from Lange which was then followed by a deep
Arriyana Bracero three-pointer, putting the Mocs up five.
Both sides continued to trade possession over the following few minutes until NSU looked to start running again with 3:30 left in the third, ending the quarter on a 9-4 run to take its first lead of the game, 44-43.
The Sharks looked to keep their momentum going eight points in the first 35 seconds of the fourth, giving them a nine point lead.
Bre'Asia Washington scored a layup for the Mocs which NSU quickly responded to before another break in scoring for both sides.
With 5:33 remaining Bracero looked to ignite another Moccasin comeback making her second three-pointer, bringing the Mocs within eight.
Florida Southern continued to stack points, going on a 10-0 run and putting themselves within one. NSU then called a timeout, but the Mocs kept their foot on the gas drawing free throws, but missed both with just over three minutes left.
The Sharks then looked to respond, as Stupp scored their first two buckets in over three minutes, putting NSU up 61-55 and scoring her 24th point of the game.
The Mocs attempted to rally, but due to fouls and missed free throws fell to the ranked Sharks on the road. The Mocs shot 44% from the free throw line, going 11-25 from the charity stripe, as they struggled to match their season average of 76.8% coming into the game.
Florida Southern will stay on the road as they make the trip to Saint Leo University on Saturday, Jan. 18. The tip off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
