Northwest Florida Defends Home Court Against Miami Dade

Miami Dade couldn't keep pace with top-ranked Northwest Florida State on Friday night, falling 85–53 at Raider Arena.

The Raiders, ranked No. 1 in the nation, set the tone early with a 25–8 opening quarter, forcing turnovers and controlling the glass to build a lead they would never relinquish. The Sharks battled throughout but struggled to find consistency on offense, shooting just 31% from the field and 5% from three-point range.

Sophomore forward Meredith Venner led Miami Dade with a strong 29-point, 9-rebound effort, attacking the paint and keeping the Sharks within reach through the middle quarters. Saige McCloud added 11 rebounds, while Riana Callihan and Constanza Aravena each scored 6 points off the bench.

Miami Dade will look to bounce back as the Sharks continue their early-season road stretch before returning to Kendall for their home opener.