Sharks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Santa Fe

Miami, FL - The Miami Dade Sharks erased a halftime deficit Saturday night, rallying past Santa Fe College 73–68 behind a dominant second-half effort at home.

Trailing 38–34 at the break, the Sharks flipped the energy immediately after halftime. Ernesto Rodríguez opened the second half with a three-pointer, then attacked the rim on the next possession to give Miami Dade its first lead of the half. From that point forward, the Sharks controlled the tempo.

Randy Smith caught fire midway through the second half, knocking down a pair of three-pointers that stretched the lead and forced Santa Fe into catch-up mode. Anthony Gilkes delivered in key moments as well, finishing strong at the rim, including two powerful dunks in traffic while anchoring the glass on the defensive end.

Miami Dade built its lead to as much as nine points late in the half, fueled by defensive stops and transition execution. Santa Fe trimmed the margin to two in the final minute, but the Sharks stayed composed. Smith and Gilkes stepped to the free-throw line in the closing seconds and calmly sealed the win.

Smith led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Gilkes posted 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Rodríguez added 14 points and four assists, connecting on four three-pointers. Jacopo Van Der Knapp chipped in 13 points, and David Verstraeten controlled the paint with 12 rebounds.

Miami Dade shot 42.9 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range while holding Santa Fe to 37.1 percent shooting. After allowing 38 points in the opening half, the Sharks limited the Saints to just 30 in the second, turning defense into offense during a decisive 39-point final stretch.

With the victory, the Sharks remain firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot as conference play enters its final stretch.