Heartbreaker at the Horn

Miami, FL- Miami Dade nearly erased a first-half deficit and had a chance to steal it late, but Eastern Florida State held on in the final seconds to edge the Sharks, 87–86, in a one-point thriller.

EFSC came out blazing offensively, shooting a scorching 67.9% (36-for-53) for the game and taking a 47–43 lead into halftime behind the interior dominance of Sean Register Jr., who finished with 27 points on 13-for-15 shooting with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The Titans got more big-time production from Joviel Acevedo-Arroyo (18 points) and Misael Cruz Rodriguez (16 points, 7 rebounds) to keep the pressure on all night.

Miami Dade answered in the second half with a surge, outscoring EFSC 43–40 after the break and briefly taking the lead in the final minutes. Anthony Breland powered the comeback with 25 points, hitting 3-of-5 from deep, while Leeroy Nijean was relentless attacking the paint and the rim, posting 19 points and 9 rebounds while going 9-for-11 at the free-throw line. David Verstraeten added 15 points, including a crucial late tip-in that pushed MDC in front, and Ernesto Rodriguez chipped in 9 with a timely three during the Sharks' push.

The finish was pure chaos. After Verstraeten's putback gave Miami Dade an 84–81 edge with just over two minutes left, EFSC answered with free throws and a key bucket to reclaim the lead. The Sharks stayed poised and tied it at 86–86 at the stripe with :20 remaining, but Eastern Florida State delivered the deciding play and survived the final possession to escape with the 87–86 win.

Despite shooting just 4-for-20 from three, Miami Dade stayed in it with efficiency inside (50.8% overall) and strong work at the line (16-for-19), but EFSC's elite shooting night and late execution proved to be the difference.