LAKELAND, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball had their four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday evening, as a desperation heave from Dakota Zinser missed the target and the Sailfish fell to Florida Southern by a 75-73 final score. The Sailfish fall to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in Sunshine State Conference play with the loss. Florida Southern improves to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play.
It was all Moccasins early on in Saturday's conference matchup, as the Mocs shot 55 percent (6-of-11) from long range in the first half and led 39-25 at the break. The Sailfish struggled in the first half of play, as they shot just 32 percent from the field, and 27 percent (3-for-11) from three-point range. The 'Fish turned the ball over 11 times in the half, further contributing to the large halftime deficit.
The second half was another story, as the Sailfish came out of the break with a 13-5 run over five minutes to cut the Moccasin lead to just six points. The Sailfish never led in the second half, but they clawed their way back to a two-point deficit, and Grant Gullett was fouled with under 30 seconds on the clock. Gullett knocked down both free throws to tie the game at 73 with 29 seconds remaining.
A Sailfish foul on the other end of the floor led to Moccasin free-throw attempts, and Jonathan Lawton made both to take a two-point lead for Florida Southern. The 'Fish were able to get off a couple shots to tie or win the game, but were unable to connect and fell 75-73.
It was a very balanced scoring attack for the Sailfish, as six players finished in double figures on the night. Zinser, Jules Jasmin, and De'Ondre Jackson finished with 12 each for the 'Fish. Matthew Johnson and Gullett finished with 11 each, while Gullett also pulled down eight rebounds. Malek Barber finished with an even 10 points. The 'Fish recorded 10 steals overall, but turned the ball over 22 times and missed nine free throws in their first loss in two weeks.
Lawton led all scorers on the night, as he finished with 24 points, making 11 of 12 free-throw attempts.
The 'Fish will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 26 as they will host Caldwell inside Rubin Arena at 4 p.m.
