Second-Half Surge Powers Miami Dade Past Pasco-Hernando, 99–71

Miami Dade College exploded for a dominant second half to pull away from Pasco-Hernando State College, rolling to a 99–71 victory after trailing by five at the break.

The Sharks went into halftime down 39–34, but completely flipped the game after the break, outscoring the Bobcats 65–32 in a relentless second-half surge. Miami Dade shot 57.1 percent from the field for the game and turned defense into offense, forcing 25 Pasco-Hernando turnovers while dishing out 26 assists on 40 made field goals.

David Verstraeten delivered a monster performance, pouring in a game-high 30 points on 13-of-19 shooting while adding seven rebounds, three blocks and four steals. Anthony Breland followed with 25 points, knocking down five three-pointers and finishing with six assists, while Leeroy Nijean posted a strong all-around line with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Anthony Gilkes chipped in 17 points, and Zayvian Bieger gave the Sharks a lift off the bench with six points, including a pair of late three-pointers.

The turning point came early in the second half as Miami Dade opened with a defensive stand and quickly took control, jumping ahead 40–39 and never looking back. The Sharks used offensive rebounds, fast-break opportunities and hot shooting to stretch the lead into double digits midway through the half. A 23–3 run over a six-minute span blew the game open and showcased Miami Dade's depth and pace.

Miami Dade finished with a 33–31 rebounding edge, forced 15 steals and blocked three shots, suffocating Pasco-Hernando's offense in the final 20 minutes. The Sharks closed the game on a 16–3 run, capping the night with back-to-back threes in the final minute to seal the emphatic win.