Sharks Lose Opener in Jim and Jan Cox Classic

Miami Dade opened the Jim & Jan Cox Classic with a fight to the finish, but a late push from Pensacola State handed the Sharks a 67–62 loss on Friday evening. MDC came out blazing, dominating the first quarter 20–11 behind strong interior play from Meredith Venner and Marcela Ulloa, and a timely three from Azjannie Culberth. The Sharks controlled the glass early and forced multiple empty trips from the Pirates to build their largest lead at 20–8.

Pensacola responded in the second quarter, capitalizing on Miami Dade turnovers and a 10-point period from Tamya Hutchinson to claw back. A three from Venner briefly pushed the Sharks back in front at 30–27, but PSC closed the half on a 5–0 burst to take a 32–30 lead into the break. By halftime, Miami Dade had already committed 13 turnovers, an issue that continued to shape the rest of the game.

The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth grind. Saige McCloud gave MDC a spark off the bench with 15 points and multiple second-chance buckets, and Ulloa buried a three to extend the Sharks' lead to 43–38 midway through the frame. But Pensacola swung the momentum right back, using a 10–1 run to enter the fourth up 48–44.

Miami Dade opened the final period with a clutch three from Jazmyne Bynum and tied the game at 49 after two free throws from Constanza Aravena. From there, the Pirates leaned on Hutchinson and Cassidy Gladney, who repeatedly answered with timely buckets, while the Sharks struggled to convert late possessions. Down the stretch, Pensacola scored on three straight trips to keep the Sharks at arm's length. Despite big plays from McCloud, Venner, and Ulloa, Miami Dade couldn't overcome 20 turnovers and a 5-of-18 performance from three.

McCloud led the Sharks with 15 points, Venner added a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Ulloa finished with 10 points and four assists. Bynum and Callihan chipped in with seven and five, respectively,  and while MDC won the rebounding battle 45–41, they couldn't convert enough at the line (52.4%).

Miami Dade, now 2-3 on the year looks to bounce back tomorrow in Day2 as the Sharks take on Denmark Tech.