ST. AUGUSTINE –
Tori Pearce tied her season-high with 32 points and completed her team-leading fifth double-double with 10 rebounds in Flagler College's 72-67 loss to Nova Southeastern University in a non-conference women's basketball game Wednesday afternoon at Flagler Gymnasium.
Nova Southeastern improved to 7-4 on the season while Flagler is now 6-4.
"I thought Nova Southeastern played well on both ends of the floor," said head coach
Mo Smith. "They got some transition baskets early and that really hurt us in the first half. We played better defense in the second half, but couldn't get into a consistent rhythm offensively for much of the game, and that is a credit to NSU's defense."
Pearce's layup with 14 seconds left pulled the Saints to within three (70-67). After a Nova Southeastern timeout to advance the ball, Madeline Hardy was fouled with 11 seconds left and she sank both free throws. She finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Grace Gilmore scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Sharks. McKenah Peters added 14 points while India Shepherd tacked on eight points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out five assists.
Nova Southeastern grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and scored 16 points. The Sharks also knocked down 18-of-26 from the free throw line.
Sadie Russell tallied 12 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Saints.
Sophie VanDyke grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.
Flagler made 12-of-its-14 shots from the charity stripe.
The Saints open Peach Belt Conference play on Friday at 2 p.m. against No. 14 (WBCA Division II Top 25) University of North Georgia at Flagler Gymnasium.
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