BOCA RATON, FLA.- The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team dropped a rough one tonight in Boca Raton. The Sailfish got down early and could never recover as they dropped the Sunshine State Conference opener to Lynn, 86-70.

The game started with Lynn jumping out to an early lead knocking down two early threes during a 7-0 run for the Fighting Knights which included three turnovers from the 'Fish. Andrew Moemeka and Malek Barber both had four points apiece with 10:54 remaining and the Sailfish down 21-10. Zac Neely was able to connect on a three to put the Sailfish within eight at the 10 minute mark. Two free ones from Jules Jasmin put the Sailfish within five 23-18 and a little under nine minutes before halftime. The Knights and the Sailfish went back and forth for a little before Caleb Edwards was able to throw down a put back slam to put the score at 35-27 in favor of Lynn with 3:57 remaining. Neither team was scoring much after that as PBA went into a three minute field goal drought. The half finished 40-31 in favor of the Knights.

The second half started with the Knights stretching their lead up to 15 before Moemeka was able to throw down a big dunk followed by a free throw to bring the 'Fish within 12. Lynn continued to hit threes causing them to extend their lead to up to 19 points at 59-40. Jasmin was able to grind out a few tough points to bring it back 61-47. Lynn went on to push the lead back out to 23 with the help of Michale Baez who shot 4-10 from beyond the arch. The Sailfish again went on a four minute field goal drought allowing the Fighting Knights to keep their large lead. At the 5:54 remaining mark the Knights maintained a 78-56 lead. From there both teams went cold, Lynn going 0-6 from the field and PBA going 0-9. Freshman Nick Nolte was able to end the field goal rut with an easy lay-up to put the score at 82-64 with 1:37 to go. The Knights were able to hold on for the 16 point advantage win.

The Sailfish shined from the charity stripe going to the line 39 times and making 30 of those attempts which allowed them to stay in the game. Overall PBA was 19-47 from the field with Jasmin leading the way with 18 points on 4-8 shooting. De'Ondre Jackson was right behind him with 13 points of his own. The freshman Nolte was also able to notch his first collegiate points tonight finishing with four. Moemeka grabbed five rebounds tonight before fouling out and put up eight points as well. Jasmin also pulled down five boards.

The Sailfish will return home to the Rubin Arena Saturday Dec. 1 to host Saint Leo with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.