Nova tops Dillard to capture BCAA Big 8 title
SOUTH PLANTATION — No one has been able to touch Nova all season in Broward County and the Titans showed why on Saturday night.
Behind a game-high 17 points from Erin Gutierrez, Nova topped Dillard 48-42 to capture their first BCAA Big 8 title since 2014. With the win, the Titans improved to 23-1 overall and 17-0 against Broward County opponents. The team’s lone defeat came against Winter Haven.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and we knew [Dillard] wasn’t going to let down the whole entire game,” said Gutierrez, who was named Tournament MVP. “It’s a longtime rivalry. We haven’t played [Dillard] in four years and it feels good to win.”
Trinity Delancy chipped in with 13 points, while Gabrielle Gonzalez added 11 points for Nova, who won the tournament for the third time in school history.
Facing the Panthers (20-4) in the Big 8 championship for the eighth time, the Titans were ready for primetime. Playing relentless defense, the Titans were able to shut down the Panthers offense throughout the game. Dillard took a 17-16 lead midway through the second quarter, but Nova ended the half on an 8-2 run, capped off by Gonzalez’ buzzer-beating layup, to take a nine-point lead into the locker room.
The Titans extended its lead to 12 points in the third, but Dillard responded with a 9-0 run to cut the lead to three entering the final frame.
The Panthers had their opportunities in the fourth quarter, but a 5-14 night from the free throw line doomed their chances. Nova’s defensive pressure continued to thwart Dillard as it held them scoreless for the first 4:10 seconds of the quarter and allowed just five points in the frame.
Ayanna Emmanuel led the way for Dillard with 16 points, while Raven White scored 10 points.
Emmanuel and White were both named the Big 8 All-Tournament Team, along with St. Thomas Aquinas’ Bella LaChance, Blanche Ely’s Ja’Leah Williams and Nova’s Gabrielle Gonzalez.
wdusenbury@sun-sentinel .com