ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team dropped a hard fought game Saturday night in St. Petersburg to the Tritons. The Sailfish (5-8) played great defense down the stretch but were unable to convert on offensive opportunities which gave the Tritons (10-3) the win, 72-69.
The game started with back-and-fourth scoring as the Tritons and the Sailfish exchanged points for the beginning 10 minutes of the first half. PBA's Malek Barber provided the first five points for the Sailfish. After that it was a steady onslaught from a mixture of Sailfish including Bakari Warthen, De'Ondre Jackson, and Jules Jasmin. The closely matched game was at 19-15 in favor of Eckerd with 10:27 left to play in the half. From there, the Tritons pushed their lead to seven on a deep shot from beyond the arch. Jasmin then put down a big put-back slam to make the score 22-19, a one possession game. The Tritons continued to maintain their lead going forward thanks to a four-point run and two three-point runs. With 5:02 to play the Tritons held a 10-point lead but the Sailfish went on a seven-point run to put the score back within striking range. Caleb Edwards capped off the run with a deep three-pointer putting the score at 32-29. Eckerd responded as they would then go on a nine-point run of their own pushing the lead to 12 with only a 1:38 to play. PBA tacked on five more points on a layup from Michael Stones and a three ball from Jackson. Going into the half the Sailfish trailed 43-34.
The Tritons began the second half by scoring nine straight points to put the score at 52-34. The Sailfish then answered back with four points of their own thanks to a layup from Jasmin and a jumper from Andrew Moemeka. Both teams found a flow in offense over the next two minutes as both teams would score six points apiece. Warthen heated up scoring nine of PBA's next 11 points with two threes, a jumper, and a free throw which put the 'Fish down 62-49 with 9:30 left in the game. The Sailfish defense found its rhythm getting the defensive stops they needed but the offense could not convert on the opportunities provided as neither team score for the next two minutes. Jasmin ended the drought with a pair of free throws putting the Sailfish within 11 of the Tritons. Moemeka then threw down a thunderous slam to put the game within seven and cap a 17-to-4 run for the Sailfish. PBA stayed within striking distance as Casey Carpinello connected from way downtown to make it a four point game. After more strong defense from the Sailfish, Jasmin followed up with an easy layup in the next offensive possession to make it 66-64 with three minutes to go in regulation. The Sailfish captured the lead with on a deep three from Jackson putting the score at 67-66. The Tritons then made a quick layup before the Sailfish would draw a foul and Jackson would sink both shots making the score 69-68. With the Sailfish on defense and the shot clock winding down the Tritons were able to make a layup to take the one-point lead. The Sailfish lost the ball on the offensive end and the Tritons made their free throws to make it a three-point game. The Sailfish were able to get off a highly contested last second shot but it fell short. Tritons won the game 72-69.
PBA shot 33 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. Jackson contributed 16 points tonight while adding five rebounds in his 25 minutes on the court. Warthen knocked down three three-pointers going 3-5 from beyond the arch as he scored 15 points on the night. Jasmin had 12 points of his own to go with his five boards. Barber scored nine points and had nine rebounds which was the most rebounds for the Sailfish in the game.
Sailfish will be back in action next Wednesday Jan. 9 as they return home to face Florida Southern in the Rubin Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
