PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — In a clash of national heavyweights, the Lander Bearcats executed a near-perfect defensive game plan to build a commanding early lead and then withstood a furious second-half rally to upset the top-seeded Nova Southeastern Sharks 91-81 in a men’s NCAA Division II playoff game Friday night at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

The most critical phase of the game was its outset. Lander, the visiting team, established immediate control with stifling defense and efficient offense, holding the high-powered Sharks to just two points over the first six and a half minutes. The Bearcats opened the game on a 13-2 run, highlighted by an early block from Bobby Crawford and a three-pointer from Greyson Pritzl. Nova Southeastern, which entered the game with a 31-1 record and the nation’s highest-scoring offense, missed 10 of its first 11 shots from the field and committed multiple turnovers against Lander’s aggressive defensive pressure.

This dominant start allowed Lander to build a double-digit cushion it would never fully relinquish. The Bearcats led 42-31 at halftime, having limited Nova Southeastern to 31 first-half points, a season-low for the Sharks.

The second half provided the expected surge from Nova Southeastern. Led by the backcourt duo of Dallas Graziani and Ross Reeves, the Sharks mounted a relentless offensive charge, scoring 50 points after the break. They repeatedly cut the deficit to single digits, applying full-court pressure and capitalizing on transition opportunities. A pivotal moment came with just over two minutes remaining when a Graziani three-pointer pulled Nova Southeastern within 76-73, marking the closest the Sharks had been since the opening minutes.

However, Lander’s composure and balanced scoring proved decisive in the final stretch. Following the Graziani three, the Bearcats responded with crucial free throws from Tommy Moore and Navaughn Maise to stretch the lead back to seven. In the game’s final minute, with Lander protecting a six-point lead, Jacob Daniels and Greyson Pritzl combined to make three of four free throws to seal the victory, ending Nova Southeastern’s championship aspirations.

Greyson Pritzl led all scorers with 25 points for Lander, while Dylan Canoville added 18 points and Jacob Daniels contributed 17 points and five assists. Antewan Webber provided a key 11 points off the bench.

Nova Southeastern was led by a balanced attack with Ryan Davis, Jaxon Nap and Ross Reeves each scoring 17 points. Dallas Graziani finished with 15 points and seven assists, orchestrating the second-half comeback attempt.

The victory improved Lander’s record to 30-5 and advanced the Bearcats in the national tournament. Nova Southeastern’s season ends at 31-2, its only losses coming by a combined 11 points. Lander’s ability to impose its defensive will early against a historically potent offense was the defining story of the playoff upset.