Box Score
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women's basketball team defeated their second top-25 opponent in as many days at the season-opening Tipoff Classic, topping No. 7 Stonehill on Sunday afternoon at the NSU Arena, 96-77.
The Sharks (2-0) were led by
Richelle Carach (Sr., Naples, Fla.), who set a new career high in points for the second straight game, and point guard
Jessica Russi (Sr., Lake Mary, Fla.), who broke her own school record in assists. After scoring 19 on Saturday vs. No. 22 Washburn, Carach had 20 Sunday while tying her career high with 13 rebounds for her fourth career double-double. Russi eclipsed her mark of 12 assists set last season against Palm Beach Atlantic, and also added 10 points.
In all, there were six players in double digits for the Sharks: Carach,
Taylor Buie (So., Puyallup, Wash.) with 17, 13 from
Amanda Burakoski (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.), 12 from
Danielle Robinson (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 11 by
Molly Blomer (So., West Chester, Ohio) and Russi's 10.
NSU shot a blistering 63.3 percent from the field in the second half and 55.7 percent overall, and outrebounded the Skyhawks (1-1), 42-27. They held the visitors to only one offensive rebound in the first half of play.
"We played well together this weekend and put a lot of points on the board," said head coach
LeAnn Freeland. "Our offense looks good and it is evident our players have played together for a few years."
Early on, the game was back-and-forth, and a layup by Stonehill's Casey McLaughlin tied things up at 15-15 at the 8:09 mark. The Sharks then exploded for a 14-1 run over the next three minutes, including five points from Russi and four from Carach.
The Skyhawks weren't able to cut it down to single digits again until 1:01 left, 40-32, and trailed the Sharks by seven at the half, 45-38. Carach already had 14 points and eight rebounds at that point.
"Everyone is excited to see Riki playing so well," said Freeland. "She totally committed herself to fitness and basketball over the summer, and her production these two games is a testament to her hard work and focus."
NSU would lead by eight at the least and 21 at the most in the second half. Buie hit three 3-pointers after the break, leading to 14 of her 17 points. In addition, she set a new career high in the game with seven assists.
The Sharks' win comes less than 24 hours after toppling Washburn. In Sunday's final game at the Tipoff Classic, the Ichabods rebounded to defeat Barry, 94-67.
NSU is off for a couple of weeks before taking their longest road trip of the regular season, to Louisville, Ky., for Bellarmine's Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament. They will take on Kentucky State on Saturday, Nov. 23, and Ferris State the following day, with both tipoffs at 1 p.m.
"The opportunity to face two very good teams this early was great, because they exposed our weaknesses on defense," said Freeland. "I have known since day one we could score, and now we have two weeks before traveling to Kentucky. I know our players are eager to make the necessary improvements."
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