WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Despite four Sailfish finishing the game in double-digits, Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball (13-12) fell to Embry-Riddle (16-9), 100-74, on Senior Night.
The visiting Eagles controlled the pace for the majority of the game Wednesday night, as the Sailfish led for only 1:46 of the game. Embry-Riddle jumped ahead to open the contest before Malek Barber gave the 'Fish their only lead of the evening on a layup in the paint at the 14:27 mark. Following a missed jumper by the Eagles' Dalton Barnes, Grant Gullett extended the Sailfish lead to three with a layup in the paint.
In the ensuing possession, ERAU's Skyler Hogan hit a three-pointer to tie the game up at 17-17. Following the three, momentum turned in favor of the Eagles as the Sailfish failed to regain a lead for the remainder of the contest. The Eagles finished the first half on a 35-20 run to take a 52-37 lead into the half.
The Sailfish sparked a short rally to open the second half going on a 8-0 run to bring PBA within seven. The Eagles responded with a run of their own, extending their lead to 19 points at the 16:07 point. Embry-Riddle coasted for the remainder of the ballgame, matching the Sailfish point-for-point as their lead never fell below 18 points.
Senior Shavanno Cooper led the way for the Sailfish with a double-double on the night, his second of his career. The Freeport, Bahamas native finished with 17 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. Cooper hit 7-of-9 from the field, including one from distance while also connecting on 2-of-4 from the free throw line. Of his 10 boards, six came on the offensive side of the ball. The senior also dished out an assist and swiped a steal on the evening.
Gullett, Milos Kostic, and Michael Stones finished with a dozen points a piece Wednesday night.
Gullett hit 4-of-7 from the field while also hitting 4-of-6 from the stripe, and Stones hit 5-of-8 from the field including one from distance while landing 1-of-2 from the line. Kostic hit 3-of-9 from long range, also adding a bucket and a free throw for his dozen.
Senior Cory Kenning finished 2-of-7 from the field for four points on the night, while also grabbing three defensive rebounds.
As a team, the 'Fish shot 36.8 (25-of-68) percent from the field, while hitting 30 (6-of-20) percent from distance. The only shooting advantage the 'Fish had over the Eagles came from the charity stripe, as PBA hit 69.2 (18-of-26) percent from the line versus their 55.6 (5-of-9) percent.
The Sailfish return to action for their final regular season game this Saturday, Feb. 25 as they head to Melbourne, Fla. to take on the Florida Institute of Technology at 4 p.m. The 'Fish are looking to improve their seeding in the Sunshine State Conference tournament and a win against the Panthers Saturday will help do so.
