Saint Leo, Fla. (January 19, 2008) – A three-pointer by Nova Southeastern’s Josh Wood with 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime games the visiting Sharks a 77-76 OT win over the Saint Leo University men’s basketball team (7-8, 1-4 SSC) on Saturday evening in Sunshine State Conference action.
Saint Leo forward Kyle Rowland (Jr., North Port, Fla.) led four Lion players in double figures, as he scored a team-high 17 points in the game. Quentin Cullop (So., Winter Haven, Fla.) added 12 points, while George Eshesimua (Sr., Miami, Fla.) scored 11 and Jordan Prais (So., Lakeland, Fla.) added 10.
NSU’s Tim Coenraad led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, as the Sharks improved to 7-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference with their fifth straight win over the Lions.
The game was tight throughout with a total of 10 lead changes and 13 ties. With time winding down in the OT and the Lions ahead by two, Wood connected on just the second three-pointer of the game for the Sharks to win the game.
Saint Leo was just 4-of-12 from the free throw line in the overtime and shot just 54.1% (20-of-37) from the foul line all game. Overall, the Sharks outshot the Lions 51.6% (32-of-62) to 45.5% (25-of-55). NSU held a commanding advantage in points scored in the paint, outscoring Saint Leo 54-30 and outrebounding the Lions 43-36 overall.
The Lions led by one at half-time, but the Sharks battled back in the second half and eventually took their largest lead of the game at five with 7:41 remaining in regulation. Saint Leo went on a 13-2 run over the next 3:20 to open up a six-point margin, matching its largest lead of the night. However, NSU would score eight of the next 10 points to tie the game at 64-64 and force overtime.
In the OT, the Lions built a four-point lead on the strength of a Brandon Powell (So., Tampa, Fla.) three-pointer and a free throw by Eshesimua. The Sharks responded by scoring the final five points of the game, including Wood’s game-winning three with 1.9 ticks left on the clock.
Saint Leo will head to St. Petersburg, Fla. to face Eckerd College on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
