Box Score
ERIE, Penn. – The No. 10 Nova Southeastern women's basketball team fell behind by as many as 26 in the second half before cutting it to 10, but couldn't get any closer as their season ended in the NCAA National Semifinals on Wednesday to No. 5 West Texas A&M, 80-66.
The Sharks (29-5) were down 15 at the half, 42-27, and it was a 12-point spread with 15:43 left, 51-39. West Texas A&M (32-2) scored the next 10, and 17 of the next 20, for their biggest lead of 26 (68-42 with exactly 10 minutes left).
NSU chipped away at their largest deficit of the season by holding the Lady Buffs scoreless for the next 6:20. The Sharks scored 11 straight during that span to make it 68-53. The run expanded to 21-5, making it a 10-point game with 1:31 left, 73-63, but WTAM made 7-of-8 free throws to end it and move on to the National Championship game.
"They had an outstanding run," said head coach LeAnn Freeland of her team. "I thought our players fought hard and I was proud of that effort. It was definitely a great season."
Taylor Buie (So., Puyallup, Wash.) led NSU with 21 points on the night, including five 3-pointers.
Amanda Burakoski (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) had 12 of her 14 points in the opening half, while
Danielle Robinson (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) chipped in with 12, 11 coming after the break.
Jasmine Wilkins (R-Jr., Miami) had nine points and 11 rebounds, while
Jessica Russi (Sr., Lake Mary, Fla.) led the team in assists for the 32nd time this season, with eight.
The Lady Buffs were paced by two players notching double-doubles as they outrebounded NSU 46-35: Chontiquah White with 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Devin Griffin with 16 points and 14 boards. Lacee Logan scored the team's first nine points on three 3's, and finished with 15, while Casey Land had 11 of the team's 15 assists.
The Sharks bid farewell to four seniors: Burakoski, Russi,
Richelle Carach (Naples, Fla.) and
Julia Salmio (Vantaa, Finland).
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