FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Lynn University women's basketball team saw its season come to a close on Wednesday night, falling 80-74 to #18 Nova Southeastern in the opening round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Nova Southeastern 80, Lynn 74

Records: Nova Southeastern (23-5, 13-3 SSC), Lynn (4-23, 2-14 SSC)

Location: NSU Arena | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Series: Nova Southeastern leads 21-14

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• First Quarter: Charla Nelson-James controlled the opening tip before starting the scoring with a turnaround jumper to give Lynn the first lead of the night. The Fighting Knights began the night on a 14-7 run before forcing a Nova timeout halfway through the frame. The Blue and White shared the ball well for the first ten minutes, as six different players found the bottom of the net. Nelson-James led the offensive attack with six points, while Tifani Kerrison and Maddie Herr combined for nine. Lynn led their guests 22-20 at quarter's end.
• Second Quarter: Kerrison opened the second stanza by knocking down a trey, and Lynn picked up where they left off offensively. Nelson-James tallied eight of the next ten points for the Fighting Knights to become the first Lynn player in double-figures for the night. Shatorria Baker provided the hot hand in the waning moments of the half, connecting on three straight shots, including two from behind the arc, in the final 1:39. Lynn shot 63.3% from the floor for the game's first twenty minutes and carried a 43-40 advantage into the locker room at intermission.
• Third Quarter: The Sharks went on a 14-4 run to begin the second half, and Lynn's first bucket came 2:29 into the quarter. The Fighting Knights spent most of the third chapter playing catchup, but a layup by Nelson-James pushed the Blue and White back in front heading into the final quarter. Baker went for another eight points, helping Lynn to a 63-59 lead after three periods.
• Fourth Quarter: Baker and Zachara Bailey teamed up for the first seven points of the fourth quarter, steering the Fighting Knights to a 70-59 advantage. The Sharks answered by sinking baskets on four straight possesions to claw their way back into the game. The final seven minutes saw the top-seeded Sharks outscore their guests 21-4 run that proved to be enough to escape with the win. SSC Player of the Year Kayla Wright tallied six of her 29 points in that stretch, while five Lynn players each scored. 

STATS FROM THE GAME:

• Wright's 29 points held up as a game-high as one of three Sharks in double-figures.
• Nelson-James and Baker each tallied 20 points for Lynn, while Kerrison followed with 13.
• Baker and Bailey each contributed six assists, giving Lynn 20 for the night.
• Nelson-James and Bria Huffman collected six rebounds apiece, but Nova outrebounded the Fighting Knights 35-33.
• NSU also won the turnover battle by a 16-12 margin.
• Both teams shot better than 45% from the floor.
• Lynn posted a 53.8% success rate from three-point range.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Wednesday marked the first time this season that two Fighting Knights have scored 20 or more points.
• In three games against Lynn this year, Wright has averaged 18 points and 5.3 rebounds.
• 74 points is the most the Fighting Knights have scored in any game this season.