KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Barry University women's basketball team's postseason run came to an end Sunday.

The No. 7-seeded Buccaneers post-season magic finally ran out in a 61-51 loss to top-seeded Nova Southeastern in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship game at Silver Spurs Arena. It is the second time in five years the Bucs (15-16) were playing for an SSC postseason title.

"Coming out, we knew we were the underdog," Barry senior forward Kaylia Richardson said. "We just wanted to make a statement that we could stick with 'em."\

The Bucs overcame a 17-point deficit and even took a couple brief leads to open the second half, but No. 24-ranked Nova Southeastern (24-5) pulled away for its second straight tournament title.

"I don't think we played our best game, but we had a few missed opportunities," Barry nine-year coach Bill Sullivan said. "But you've got to give a lot of credit to Nova. We wish we had practice Monday to keep going, but I'm really pleased with this group."

NSU built a seven-point lead 4:11 into the second half, but Kaylia Richardson buried a 3-pointer and then split a pair from the free throw line as Barry cut the Sharks lead to two. Jackie Perez hit a three to make it 41-40 with 12:17 remaining. Lynae Richardson's jumper from the corner gave the Bucs a 42-41 lead during a 9-2 run.

"Overall, you don't have to look at this game to know our character," Perez said after finishing with 15 points and three steals in a season she became Barry's season leader for three-point field goals. "I feel we've always been a school of character."

Barry took its first lead two possessions into the second half when Kaila Britten scored inside, and Nyjah Porcher drove in for a basket to put the Bucs ahead, 29-28. But Nova's Alexis Murphy hit a three to push the Sharks back up seven before Perez hit a driving layup.

Nova raced out to a 21-4 lead midway through the first half as the Bucs opened the game shooting 2 of 15. Elezovic sank a pair of free throws, and Lynae Richardson hit a jumper to stop the bleeding, pulling Barry within 13. Perez picked up a steal and went the length of the floor to find Kaylia Richardson for a basket down low.

Lynae Richardson lobbed inside to Kaylia Richardson, and Perez hit a floater to cut the gap to 21-14 with 5:19 left in the first half. Perez drilled a triple less than a minute later to trim the Sharks lead to six. Then Perez found Kaylia Richardson, rolling to the hoop for a bucket to cut it to 23-19. It capped a 15-2 run during a span that saw the Buccaneers make six of seven field goals. On the other end, the Bucs held the Sharks to 2-for-13 shooting to end the half.

Perez had nine points, and Kaylia Richardson eight on a combined 7 of 14 shooting in the opening half. The Bucs recovered from their slow start to go 10-for-27 from the field in the first half. The Sharks were 10 of 26, connecting on six of 12 triples. Barry was one of eight from 3-point range before the break. The Buccaneers outrebounded Nova, 21-14, in the half.

Kaylia Richardson shot five of eight from the floor, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds and three steals in her final game.

"I tried to be energetic," she said, fighting back the tears. "During the whole tournament, we just kept telling ourselves, 'We believe.' It just hurts because it's my senior year."

Elezvoic, who along with Perez was named to the All-Tournament team, had 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Barry outrebounded Nova, 36-26. The Buccaneers shot 56 percent in the second half, while holding the Sharks to 38 percent for the game.

"I truly think we have the talent to be here," Perez said.

That they did, and that they were.

SSC All-Tournament Team
Danielle Robinson, NSU (Most Valuable Player)
Jackie Perez, BU
Jasmine Wilkins, NSU
Ivana Grbic, EC
Jessica Valley, NSU
Amra Elezovic, BU