Lluberes' hot night pushes the Sharks past Florida Coastal Prep

A strong afternoon by Lluberes was the recipe for success as the Sharks take down Florida Coastal Prep 82-77, Saturday afternoon. The Sharks move to 11-7 with the victory.

Both teams would feel each other out in the early goings, going on a 5-5 run. A layup by Coastal Prep's Marcus Eaves would put them up 7-5. Caleb Hannah would answer back with a layup of his own to even the score at 7. Florida Coastal Prep would go on to take their biggest lead of the game going up 15-8, just 4:40 minutes into the game. Miami Dade clawed their way back into the game in a big way, going on a 19-5 run with 8 of those points being by Esteban Lluberes. Coastal Prep's Piccirilli would go on to tie the game again at 29, after a steal and a finish on the other end. After a back and forth for the next 6 minutes, the Sharks were able to pull away thanks to a layup by big man Chad Anglin. In the very next possession, Jakobe Strozier would punish Florida Coastal once again for leaving him open with too much space from deep. Florida Coastal Prep would go on to score the last basket in the first half to make the score 47-38 in favor of the Sharks.

The Sharks got off to a slow start to the second half allowing the opposing side to go on an 8-2 run. After both teams would cool off from the field, Eaves would go ahead and score two which was then followed by a turnover from the Sharks. This would prompt a media timeout with the score at 55-48. Coastal Prep would follow this timeout up by going on another run to bring the game within one. With 10:37 left in the game, John Latimer would hit a three-pointer followed by an elbow jumper on the very next possession. This much needed spark was what the Sharks needed as they kept the lead from here on out. Lluberes would hit once again from three but this time through contact to ignite the crowd. He would go on to finish the 4-point play. Florida Coastal would try to mount one last comeback but Miami Dade successfully held them off. With just under 20 seconds left, Strozier would flush down what looked to be the dagger, but Coastal Prep's Jon White had other ideas. On back-to-back possessions, White would go on to hit 35+ footers to bring the score closer. With the Sharks up three with 2 seconds remaining on the clock, Strozier stepped up to the line and sealed the deal.

The Sharks will look to stay in the win column when they take on #21 ranked Eastern Florida State College at home next Tuesday. The game is slated for Tuesday, January 23 at 7 PM.