FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida - The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 23-8 run that spanned the end of the first half and beginning of the second half in the 2023 Sunshine State Conference Tournament title game, falling 92-69 to the undefeated No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks. The Eagles (19-11) will have their NCAA National Tournament fate decided by the South Region Advisory Committee who will convene later tonight. ERAU will need to be in the top-seven of the region ranking to earn an at-large bid to the South Region tournament, which will be hosted by Nova Southeastern (30-0) for the second straight season. The NCAA II Selection Show is slated for 11 p.m. (ET) tonight, and can be found HERE.

Embry-Riddle fell to 11-5 in conference title games, falling prey to the Sharks' hot-shooting (50% for the game and 57% in the second half), while turning the ball over 20 times, leading to 24 NSU points. 

Malcolm Whitlow finished with 15 points and five rebounds, earning SSC All-Tournament Team accolades along with four Sharks. Jerry Bracey II was the only other Eagle in double-figures with 10 points off the bench, while Dru Nickson had nine points, a career-high eight rebounds, and five assists.

The first half was very low scoring, and just like ERAU's semifinal game against Rollins on Thursday, didn't feature the first media timeout until nearly six minutes had gone by with the Eagles in front, 7-6. 

Out of that media timeout, Nickson hit a three-pointer before Wesley Simpson nailed a jumper, giving ERAU the biggest lead of the game at 12-6.

The Sharks scored 13 of the next 15 points, going up 19-14 before Danny Sully had a put back layup to stop the run and Bracey II connected on a shot from long range to tie the score at 19-19.

Whitlow's three at the 3:37 mark put the visitors up 24-23, but that would be the last time ERAU would lead in the contest.

NSU finished the first half on a 9-2 run, hitting a trey with three a few second left to take a 39-32 advantage into the break.

Nikola Jerotic got the Eagles' first points of the second half with a layup off a Chris Murray layup, but that would be the only made field goal they would get until nearly five minutes later. The Sharks forced five Embry-Riddle turnovers during that span, going up 49-36 before Sully stopped the run with a layup.

Whitlow made a three-pointer with 14:30 on the clock, trimming the Eagle deficit to 52-41, but the home team would allow ERAU to get no closer, pushing the cushion out 20 (71-51) with seven minutes to play and ultimately pulling away with the 23-point win, matching the largest defeat of the Eagles this season.

The Sharks went 17-for-19 at the free throw line while the Eagles only shot eight total from the charity stripe. ERAU did out-rebound NSU 40-30, and the Eagle bench went for 35 points.

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The 2022-23 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.