WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball fought hard but couldn't come up with the victory in the end. Bemidji State University played fundamental basketball and was able to outlast the athleticism of PBA with a final score 74-69.
The Beavers jumped out to an early lead as the Sailfish went 1 for 8 from the field in the first six minutes of the game. In this time period, Jules Jasmin was the lone scorer for PBA with all five of their points. Bemidji State continued to pour it on thanks to eight points from BSU's Logan Bader and extending the lead to 13 points with 11 minutes remaining. A three pointer from Matthew Johnson brought the Sailfish within eight at the midway mark of the first half. In the next four minutes the Beavers hit four three pointers while pushing their lead to 14. The final minutes of the half the Sailfish put a dent in the lead thanks to a three from the corner from Bakari Warthen and a big slam from Jasmin, ending the half with a score of 36-28.
The Sailfish came out hot and De'Ondre Jackson cut the lead to two points on a layup. Paxton Wilson then went to the line sinking two of three to even the score at 41. With 15 minutes remaining, Andrew Moemeka gave PBA their first lead since the opening two minutes of the game on a non-contested layup under the basket. The Beavers retook the lead on a three point shot from Allen Anderson with 12 minutes to go. The lead would not last long as the Sailfish would storm back with a few buckets of their own including another Jasmin layup to put them up 53-49. The Beavers came back with an eight point run of their own, capturing a one point lead. BSU found their stroke hitting three more 3-point shots and a few jumpers to go ahead 71-66 with two minutes remaining. Casey Carpinello put the Sailfish within reach on a big time three with 57 seconds to go in regulation but wouldn't be enough as the Sailfish wouldn't be able to score again dropping the contest to the Beavers of Bemidji State.
Jasmin lead the way in scoring for the Sailfish finishing at 18 points on the night, just one point shy of his season average 19 points per game. Jackson was the next highest scorer, putting up 11 in the contest. Carpinello added 9 points as he was 3-3 from the downtown. The Sailfish shot 37% from the field and 9-30 from behind the arch. Moemeka and Jackson both had five rebounds apiece with Malek Barber adding three of his own.
The Sailfish have another quick turnaround as they head down to Boca Raton to take on Florida Atlantic University in an exhibition match-up starting at 7 pm on Nov. 21.
