FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida - The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team nearly pulled off the upset of the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks on Saturday afternoon in Rick Case Arena, but the Sharks shot an astounding 72% from the field in the second half to finish the regular season at 27-0 (20-0 SSC), while the Eagles head into the postseason at 17-10 (10-10 SSC) after dropping three straight.
Both teams shot the ball very well throughout the game, but NSU missed just nine total shots in the second half, going 18-for-25 from the field and 14-for-16 at the free throw line.
The Eagles, who had taken a three-point lead into the break, the second time this season they led the Sharks at halftime, went back-and-forth with the Sharks in the second period, and when Malcolm Whitlow nailed a three with eight minutes on the clock, the lead was four at 69-65 for ERAU.
NSU tied the game at 72-72 with seven minutes left, and then Will Yoakum made a pair of free throws to give the Sharks the lead for good. The hosts pushed the lead to six on a three-pointer at the 3:34 mark, but the Eagles battled back, getting to within 85-83 on an and-one from Whitlow.
The Eagles forced an empty NSU possession and Chris Murray was fouled on the next trip down the floor for the visitors. However, Murray missed both free throws and the Sharks came down and made a bucket, a huge four-point swing that the Eagles couldn't recover from.
The first half was just as entertaining as the second with both teams hitting big shots, starting with Whitlow's first trey of the game to tie the game at 3-3 a minute in.
Danny Sully's put-back layup at the 13:55 mark had the Eagles in front 19-13, but the home team responded with a big run, a 16-2 spurt that turned the ERAU lead into an eight-point deficit midway through the half.
Embry-Riddle responded with the next seven points, including two baskets from Jerry Bracey II. The Eagle sophomore followed with a three-pointer a few moments later to make it a one-point game at 32-21, and Murray's free throws at the 5:31 mark pushed ERAU back in front.
ERAU ended the half with a 47-44 advantage.
Whitlow led the way on the night with 18 points, while Murray went for 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Bracey II scored a career-best 15 points off the bench to go along with five boards, and Nickson finished with 13 points for the Eagles.
The Eagles will hit the road for the first round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The sixth-seeded Eagles will take on third-seeded Florida Southern at 7 p.m. at Jenkins Field House.
The 2022-23 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.
