Sharks Fall to Daytona State, 87-85, on Sophomore Night

Miami, FL - Miami Dade came up just short on Sophomore Night, falling 87-85 to Daytona State in a tight back-and-forth finish.

The Sharks trailed 42-38 at the break but answered with 47 points in the second half, taking a late lead and trading momentum deep into the final minute before Daytona State closed at the line to escape with the two-point win.

Anthony Gilkes powered Miami Dade with a team-high 21 points, while Anthony Breland added 20 and knocked down two triples. David Verstraeten finished with 13 points and six boards, and Joachim Kouassi gave the Sharks a steady presence inside with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block.

Miami Dade shot 50 percent from the field (28-of-56) and lived at the stripe with 37 free throw attempts, but Daytona State's 12 made threes and a 21-of-28 night at the line proved to be the difference.

Noah Mendy led Daytona State with 22 points, and Trey Wilson delivered 19 off the bench as the Falcons edged the Sharks in a game that stayed within one or two possessions almost the entire way.

Despite the result, Miami Dade honored its sophomores pregame and nearly capped the night with a comeback win, battling to the final horn before settling for the 87-85 decision.