FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team topped Nova Southeastern (11-7, 7-4) in the first meeting of the 2018-19 series in December, but the Eagles were unable to repeat that feat, falling to the Sharks on their home court, 82-61. The Eagles fell behind early in Saturday's Sunshine State Conference contest and were never able to recover, falling to 11-7 overall and 6-5 in league play.
 
A Marisa Koopman three made it a four-point game (9-5) with 7:03 left in the first quarter, but over the next four minutes, the Eagles came up empty from the field and their only scoring came in the form of three free throws. A 21.4 percent shooting performance that saw the Eagles manage just three field goals allowed the Sharks to open up a 24-13 lead at the end of the first.
 
The Eagles improved their shooting to 46.2 percent (6-of-13) in the second period, but the Sharks, who shot 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the field in the first quarter, were even hotter in the second frame. The home team shot a blistering 69.2 percent (9-of-13) in the second 10 minutes to build their lead to 46-28 at the half.
 
The Sharks were able to increase the advantage to as many as 23 points (58-35) in the third, and although the Eagles edged NSU 19-18 in the fourth quarter, they were unable to erase the sizeable deficit. Nova Southeastern finished shooting 55.6 percent (30-of-54) for the game and made 18 of 21 free throws, compared to 7-of-13 by the Eagles, to seal the win.
 
Nikki Tucker and Lauren Ellenberger paced the Eagle offense with 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Maria Bardeeva tallied 21 points for the Sharks who had four players score in double figures.
 
The Eagles will be back in the ICI Center on Wednesday, hosting Rollins at 5:30 p.m.