FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Lynn University women's basketball team opened Sunshine State Conference play with a victory, defeating Nova Southeastern, 76-60, on Wednesday evening. The Fighting Knights were led by a trio of 15+ point scorers in senior Danielle Montelbano (18), junior Makayla Hemingway (17) and senior Ella Fiore (15) in the SSC victory.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Lynn 76, NSU 67
Records: Lynn (4-2) | NSU (2-3)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Lynn jumped out to a 7-0 lead, with graduate Marianna Klavina leading the way
- The Sharks scored eight straight points to take a one-point lead, but five points from graduate Bella Sparaco helped Lynn regain a 14-11 lead
- NSU went on a 6-0 run to end the first quarter, resulting in the Fighting Knights trailing 14-17 heading into the second quarter
- Hemingway scored seven consecutive points to open the second quarter, helping Lynn earn a 23-22 advantage with just under five minutes remaining in the half
- Layups from Montelbano and Fiore, as well as a three-pointer from graduate Rachel Romich contributed to a 9-0 run for the Fighting Knights
- Fiore made a short jumper and Montelbano hit a three-pointer that helped Lynn go into the halftime break leading 37-26
- Graduate Carly Stroemel and freshman Trinity Mocadlo were the opening scorers for the Fighting Knights in the second half
- Montelbano hit three consecutive free-throws as Lynn's led 44-41 at the end of the three quarters
- Hemingway opened the final quarter with a three-pointer, followed by back-to-back layups from Montelbano and Sparaco to make it a 52-48 game
- Hemingway caught fire in the final quarter, scoring five consecutive points to make it a 57-53 advantage for Lynn
- Fiore and Montelbano contributed points as Lynn extended its lead to 61-56 with two and a half minutes remaining
- The Fighting Knights scored its next 9 points from the charity stripe, going 9-for-10 over the stretch
- Stroemel and Fiore each made a layup as Lynn closed out a 76-67 victory on the road
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Hemingway posted her third consecutive game of 17+ points, and is 10-for-15 from three over the stretch
- Montelbano scored a season-high 18 points, going 3-for-5 from the field and 11-for-14 at the free throw line
- Stroemel had a game-high two blocks and has at least one block in every game this season
- Fiore had a game-high seven rebounds
- Lynn scored 32 points in the fourth quarter, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the field
- The Fighting Knights shot 56% from three-point range in the win (5-for-9)
- Opponents are shooting just 36% from the field against Lynn's defense through six games
UP NEXT:
- The Fighting Knights travel to Rollins on Saturday, Dec. 9 to take on the Tars in a road SSC matchup at 2:00 pm
