DAVIE, Fla. – Barry beat Nova Southeastern for the first time in the building where last-second heroics weren’t needed for a change.
The Buccaneers beat Nova Southeastern, 68-61, Wednesday at University Center – the first win over the Sharks for Barry in the arena. And for the first time in four years, this rivalry wasn’t decided by a last-second shot. It also marked Barry’s first win at Nova since Dec. 13, 2002.
“First win at Nova in 10 years,” Bucs forward Magne Fivelstad said in the team van. “We’re creating history.”
The win pulled the Buccaneers (9-8, 3-5 Sunshine State Conference) within a game of the Sharks (11-6, 4-4) in the league standings.
"Just got to keep climbing the ladder," Bucs assistant coach Ryan Saunders said.
Barry trailed 50-45 with just over 10 minutes left before Aaron Martin knocked down a triple and was fouled. His four-point play cut it to 50-49.
Chad Renfro scored on a twisting baseline lay-in to tie the game at 54-54, and Justin McCoy canned a three-pointer to give the Bucs the lead on the next possession. McCoy hit an off-glass floater with 3:48 remaining to put Barry ahead, 59-56. Damien Dwaine knocked down a 12-foot baseline jumper to extend the Buccaneers lead to five.
Filip Toric buried a big three-pointer in the corner to pad the Bucs lead at eight before Nova’s Brian Cahill hit one at the other end with 40 seconds remaining.
Dwaine sank two free throws to push the lead to seven before Cahill scored on a putback to trim it to five. But Martin sank two free throws to seal it with 10 seconds left.
“It hasn’t seemed like that long, but thinking back I can’t remember us winning there and feeling good,” Saunders said. “Even some of our best teams haven’t won there. All three teams that went to the NCAA Tournament haven’t won at Nova.”
Martin’s jumper from the wing gave Barry a 26-25 lead in a first half the Buccaneers were playing from behind most of the way.
Toric scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half on 6-for-9 shooting. Martin had nine points in the opening half.
The Bucs had just one turnover in the first half. The Sharks turned it over nine times in the opening 20 minutes. Barry finished with 12 turnovers and 12 assists. The Buccaneers outrebounded the Sharks, 36-32.
Martin finished with 18 points and four rebounds. Toric was 7-for-12 from the floor. He had seven rebounds and three assists. McCoy had 11 points, three steals and three assists. Fivelstad had nine points and eight boards. Renfro had seven points and five boards.
Barry plays at Florida Tech in Melbourne 4 p.m. Saturday.