FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Luka Majstorovic scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but it wasn't quite enough as the ninth-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks survived an upset bid by the Eagles, 83-82 at Rick Case Arena on Saturday. The Eagles (13-5, 5-5 SSC) shot 57 percent from the field, but for the second-straight Sunshine State Conference game, a big free throw disparity allowed the Sharks (13-2, 7-2 SSC) to claim the victory, including the final points of the game coming from the free throw line.

The Eagles led 81-76 with 1:46 left, but the Sharks got a layup and then a defensive stop before another layup and the foul tied the game with 37 seconds to go. NSU fouled Majstorovic with 11 seconds on the clock and the senior made the first of two at the free throw line to give ERAU a one-point lead, but on the final NSU trip down the floor, the Eagle senior was whistled for a foul on the baseline with 3.6 seconds left and Connor Zinaich connected on both free throws to regain the lead for the hosts.

Romeo Crouch raced the the ball the length of the court and got off a good look from just outside the three-point line but the shot was off the mark and the Eagles fell, 83-82.

The Eagles were in position to pull off the upset thanks to Majstorovic keeping them in the game for the first 35 minutes and then Tylin Lockett-Fuller exploded from deep around the five-minute mark. NSU led 69-65 before Lockett-Fuller hit three straight triples on consecutive trips down the floor as Embry-Riddle took a 74-70 lead.

A free throw from NSU made it a one possession game, but then Crouch hit a trey for a 77-71 cushion. The Sharks hit a big three with just under three minutes left that once again made it a single possession contest and to set up the late game drama.

Towards the end of the first half, it looked like the Sharks might pull away as they led by 13 with 3:13 left to play. However, Crouch nailed a three to spark a 15-2 Eagle run over the final three minutes of the period, capped by a Majstorovic buzzer-beating circus shot from three that tied the game at 44-44 before the break.

Majstorovic had 21 points in the opening half, the only Eagle in double-figures, on 9-of-10 shooting from the field.

The second half was close throughout, with neither team holding a lead of more than seven points.

NSU went 18-for-25 at the charity stripe, compared to just an 8-for-11 effort by the Eagles, and the Sharks also forced ERAU into 16 turnovers, converting those into 19 points. In 10 SSC games, the Eagles have been called for 51 more fouls than their league opponents and SSC squads have shot 85 more free throws than Embry-Riddle, nearly nine more per game.

Lockett-Fuller finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while Crouch was the only other Eagle in double-figures with 14 points to go along with five assists. Chris Murray grabbed 10 rebounds for ERAU.

The Eagles have a week before trying to get back to the win column, as they take on Lynn in Boca Raton on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.