Venner’s 33-Point, 18-Rebound Night Not Enough as Sharks Fall at Daytona State
Miami Dade went toe-to-toe with Daytona State for a quarter, but a decisive surge spanning the second and third periods lifted the Falcons to an 85-67 win over the Sharks.
The opening 10 minutes were as even as it gets. Meredith Venner established herself early on the block and on the glass, and the Sharks matched Daytona State basket-for-basket to finish the first quarter tied 21-21. Venner scored through contact, cleaned up misses for second-chance points, and helped set the tone defensively as Riana Callihan stuffed the stat sheet with activity, four steals and two blocks, while Miami Dade forced early turnovers to keep Daytona from getting comfortable.
Daytona State began to separate in the second quarter by winning the possession game and stretching the floor. Catalina Roco hit a pair of threes in the period, and Khalise Vidal added another from deep as the Falcons pieced together a run that turned a one-possession game into a halftime cushion.
Miami Dade opened the third quarter looking to reset, but Daytona State's biggest punch came right away. Ceylone Brooks drilled a three to start the half, and the Falcons continued to pile on behind a balanced attack and timely perimeter makes. Despite Venner's continued work inside and a response from the Sharks in the paint, Daytona State answered repeatedly, pushing the lead to 69-55 by the end of the third after a 30-23 quarter.
In the fourth, Miami Dade kept competing behind Venner and a strong interior effort, but Daytona State's spacing and free-throw efficiency closed the door. Roco knocked down another big three, and Keira Mackinnon added a late triple as the Falcons maintained control down the stretch.
Venner delivered one of the best performances of the season for the Sharks, finishing with 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting, nine free throws made, and 18 rebounds to go with four assists. Callihan added six rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while Jazmyne Bynum scored 11 and grabbed four boards.
