TAMPA, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team captured their first Sunshine State Conference victory as they took down the University of Tampa Spartans (8-5). The Sailfish (5-7) were down 18 points in the second half but would show resiliency as they came back in the second half to win the game 74-63. This victory extends PBA's win streak to four games.

Both teams showed strong defense as Bakari Warthen set the tone with a hard block on a Spartan layup in Tampa's first offensive possession. Through the first five-and-a-half minutes both teams had six turnovers apiece which provided a low scoring affair. PBA held the lead at 4-3 which came from a free throw from Jules Jasmin and a three-pointer from De'Ondre Jackson. Jackson followed up that three with a layup on another turnover and Matthew Johnson added his own layup to cap a seven-point run and give the Sailfish an 8-3 lead. More strong defense would cause the game to be knotted at 10 with 12 minutes to go in the half. Tampa would then go on a 13-2 run thanks to a two-minute scoring drought from the Sailfish and Tampa going 5-for-5 from the field putting the score at 21-12 with nine minutes to play. A Caleb Edwards three put the 'Fish back in contention but the Spartans would quickly reply as Anthony Gamble hit a three of his own and Cedric Belemene added two free throws giving Tampa a lead of 26-15. The Sailfish would score four straight to put them within seven with eight minutes to play. With 6:40 left in the half the Spartans took a double-digit lead on an easy layup that made the score 31-19. In the final five minutes the Sailfish would continue to have trouble putting together strong offensive possessions and end the half with 16 turnovers. The score at halftime was 39-27 in favor of the Spartans.

The Spartans opened the second half strong, adding four points in the first two minutes. The Sailfish made it a 15-point game as Johnson made a fast-break layup which put the score at 46-31 with 15:25 left in regulation. PBA would go on a six-point run that included a free throw from Andrew Moemeka, three points from Jackson, and two points from Jasmin which took the Spartan lead down to 12, 46-34. Two free throws from Malek Barber at the 12:40 mark pulled the Sailfish within 10. Warthen would then throw down a dunk to bring the score to 50-42. The Sailfish went on an eight-point run to tie the game with 10 minutes left to go. Jasmin had a three-point play after getting fouled on a layup and added the free throw. A layup by Johnson gave the Sailfish a two-point lead but it would quickly be erased by a Spartan layup seconds later. The Sailfish and Spartans would then go shot for shot putting the score at 56-56 with seven minutes left to play. From there, PBA went on a six-point run giving the Sailfish their biggest lead of the night thus far with a score of 62-56 and five minutes to go in the game. The 'Fish then went on to extend their lead thanks to a Johnson layup and a Jackson jumper to put the score at 68-58. Jackson would connect on a three ball for his 21st point of the night and the Sailfish would continue to hold their lead as the game ended 74-63 in favor of the 'Fish.

The Sailfish overcame their 21 turnovers by forcing Tampa to commit 26 of their own. PBA would accumulate 24 points off those turnovers throughout the game. The Sailfish shot 45 percent from the field going 29-for-64 overall. The game's top scorer was once again Jackson as he netted 21 points. Johnson would add 13 points of his own and Barber added 12 as well. Johnson was 6-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free throw line. The 'Fish also outrebounded the Spartans. Barber would lead the team in rebounds with eight and Johnson finished right behind with seven.

The Sailfish will return to the hardwood on Saturday Jan. 5 as they travel to St. Petersburg, Fla. to take on Eckerd.