FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Embry-Riddle men's basketball traveled south to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday to take No 1-ranked Nova Southeastern in Sunshine State Conference action.
The Eagles went toe-to-toe with the defending national champions inside Rick Case Arena, posting 49 first-half points and remaining within striking distance deep into the contest. In usual fashion, NSU utilized its signature tempo and full-court press to pull away, handing ERAU a 96-81 setback.
RECORDS
Embry-Riddle: 3-4, (1-1 SSC)
Nova Southeastern: 6-0, (3-0 SSC)
GAME NOTES
- Embry-Riddle holds a 26-25 all-time record over the Sharks.
- Saturday's matchup marked the Eagles' first ranked opponent of the season.
- ERAU's 81 points were the second-most scored in the last seven meetings with NSU.
KEY PERFORMERS
Embry-Riddle
Nova Southeastern
- Dallas Graziani – 30 pts, 7 ast, 3 stl
- Ross Reeves – 28 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl, 2 ast
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Clarens Pierre and Dawson Barr combined for the first two ERAU scores of the game before a jumper from Jared Berry boosted the Eagles' lead to 6-4 with 18:31 remaining.
- Nova Southeastern responded with a 13-2 run to capture a 17-8 advantage six minutes into the contest.
- Evan Montanari's long-range jumper sparked an 8-3 response from the Eagles as Embry-Riddle pulled the deficit down to two possessions.
- Jack Klinger scored inside, followed by another Montanari basket, bringing the score to 22-20 with 10:58 to play.
- The Sharks stretched the margin to a double-figure edge late and eventually led 55-40.
- Embry-Riddle finished the half with nine unanswered which included a buzzer-beating trey from Montanari to cut the deficit to 55-49 at the half.
- Montanari led the charge for ERAU with 17 points and 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
Second Half
- A basket from Klinger opened the second half and sparked a 6-2 opening run for the Eagles, cutting the deficit to a one-possession score.
- Embry-Riddle leveled the game twice early in the half, equalizing at 61-61 and 63-63.
- NSU would regain momentum and begin to create separation for the remainder of the game, outscoring Embry-Riddle 41-32 in the second half to close with a 96-81 final.
- The Eagles struggled from distance going 0-for-9 from three-point range, shooting just 42.4% from the field as well.
- The Sharks took advantage of nine ERAU turnovers, scoring 11 points off turnovers.
INSIDE THE STATS
- Embry-Riddle finished the game shooting 48.5% (32-for-66) from the field, 24% (6-for-25) from three, and 57.9% (11-for-19) from the foul line.
- Nova Southeastern shot 55.7% (39-for-70) from the field, 40% (4-for-10) from three and 58.3% (14-for-24) from the foul line.
- Klinger posted a career-high 19 points, posting 10 rebounds in the process for his second career double-double.
- Montanari's 17 first-half points marked his best offensive performance since arriving in Daytona Beach.
- Berry contributed 17 points while snagging nine rebounds and dishing out four assists.
- ERAU led the rebounding efforts 44-32 with a 13-7 edge off the offensive glass.
- NSU's press forced 19 turnovers from the Eagles, scoring 25 points off the miscues from the guests.
UP NEXT
Embry-Riddle looks to bounce back and even its SSC slated, hosting Barry next Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. ET inside the ICI Center in Daytona Beach.
