Sharks Hold Off SPC

Behind a dominant night on the boards from Meredith Venner and a relentless first-quarter burst, the Miami Dade Sharks held off St. College for an 80-75 win on Wednesday night at home.

The Sharks set the tone immediately. After Azjannie Culberth jumped a passing lane and finished through contact for the game's first points, Miami Dade ripped off an early run that flipped the floor in a hurry. Constanza Aravena drilled a three off a Culberth assist, Venner went to work inside, as the Sharks' pressure forced SPC into mistake after mistake helping Miami Dade build a 31-15 lead after one.

St. Petersburg settled in and made it a game in the second quarter, holding Miami Dade to 10 points and trimming the margin to 41-30 at the break. But every time the Titans threatened to swing momentum, the Sharks found a way to answer, usually starting with Venner cleaning up the paint or Jazmyne Bynum creating something out of nothing.

SPC's surge continued after halftime, cutting the lead to a single possession in the third as Trinidy Harris and Catherine Guillaume powered a comeback. Miami Dade didn't panic. Aravena buried a big three late in the quarter and the Sharks carried a 58-52 edge into the fourth.

The final 10 minutes turned into a possession-by-possession fight. Saige McCloud gave Miami Dade a lift with a quick bucket and a putback to push the lead back out, and Bynum knocked down a tough three to keep the Sharks in front. St. Petersburg kept coming, closing within three inside the final minute, but Miami Dade closed it at the line. Venner, who lived on the glass all night, sank two free throws with six seconds left to seal it.

Venner finished with 20 points and a monster 18 rebounds, adding four assists and three blocks to anchor Miami Dade on both ends. Bynum posted 17 points and nine assists, Aravena added 15, and Callihan chipped in 12 as the Sharks overcame a late push and 28 total free-throw attempts from the Titans.

St. Petersburg was led by Guillaume's 24 points and Harris' 23, but Miami Dade's early punch and Venner's control of the paint proved to be the difference.