FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – St. Thomas (1-1) came up just short of a win against NCAA DII opponent Nova Southeastern (1-0).  Tied at the half, the Sharks were able to make a few more plays and convert their free throw attempts down the stretch for an 84-80 victory.  Armand Shoon led all Bobcats with 19 points.

The Bobcats had four double-digit scorers.  Shoon led the way with 19 points off 7-10 shooting and managed to snatch three steals.  His efficiency also extended to his attempts from deep, where he was 3-5.  Tim Sada finished second with 15 points and four steals.  Raheem Bowman went 6-7 from the field for 12 point and completed the double-double with 15 rebounds.  Bowman also had an impressive four blocks.  Michael Walker finished three rebounds short of a triple-double.  He accrued 11 points, 11 assists, and secured seven rebounds.

St. Thomas shot 43.2% from the field and 34.4% from deep.  The numbers, when compared to Nova, appear virtually identical.  However, the Sharks were shooting at 74% from the line, whereas the Bobcats shot a horrendous 36%.  The Bobcats also had six more turnovers than the Sharks, despite finishing with an impressive 15 steals.
 

Both teams came out a bit anxious.  For the Sharks, perhaps it was because the game marked their season opener.  In the Bobcats case, it most likely had to do with this being their first test of the season in hostile territory.  In either case, it showed as both teams each committed three turnovers in the match's first minute.
 

Players on each side would soon settle in thereafter.  Sada scored the game's first points with a dime from behind the arc.  Nova's Chris Page would answer with three the old-fashioned way, a layup and made free throw off the Shoon foul.
 

The two teams would continue to trade buckets throughout the half.  The Sharks appeared to be on the verge of pulling away after two Page free throws netted them a seven-point lead, there largest to that point, with 4:14 to go.
 

The Bobcats would respond, outscoring the Sharks 13-6 to tie the score at half.  The run was fueled by the long ball and turnovers.  Sada and Kevin Johnston were able to find the spacing to spot up for three-pointers, and forced turnovers led to easy fast break points such as a Miguel Martin dunk.
 

St. Thomas would continue to hang around in the second half.  Things appeared to turn in Nova's favor as the half passed the 10 minute mark.  A 7-0 spurt gave the Sharks their largest lead at 11 with 5:27 remaining.
 

The Bobcats, however, would continue to battle back.  Another Sada three-pointer would bring the Bobcats to within three with 1:52 to go.  Shoon's three with 22 seconds left on the clock narrowed the lead to 80-78, but BJ Edwards would sink four free throws in the game's waning seconds to secure the Nova victory.

The Bobcats next return to the hardwood on Saturday, November 21, when they face the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.  Tip-off is set for 4 P.M. E.T.

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