MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team resumed their SSC schedule on Wednesday night with a matchup at Florida Tech.
 
Free throws and rebounding were key for the Sailfish as they grinded out a 74-69 win over the Panthers for their first SSC win of the season. PBA (6-2, 1-1 SSC) was awarded 33 shots at the charity stripe, making 22 of them which was eight more made free throws than Florida Tech (4-5, 0-2 SSC). The 'Fish also won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Panthers 39-31 including 17 offensive rebounds.
 
De'Ondre Jackson led the Sailfish in scoring with 18 points including 10 points from the free-throw line. Malek Barber was right behind him with a season-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Jules Jasmin added 15 points and seven boards of his own. Darhius Nunn facilitated, leading PBA with six assists with 12 points.
 
After starting the game by getting out to a quick 8-3 lead, the Sailfish struggled to find their shooting stroke in the first half, specifically from behind the arc. PBA started the game 0-for-8 from downtown with its first 3-pointer coming from Jackson with eight minutes left in the first half. Jackson's triple tied the game at 21 as the 'Fish remained within striking distance thanks to their efforts on the offensive boards.
 
An 8-4 run by the hosts regained the lead for Florida Tech with four and a half minutes remaining in the half. The Sailfish continued to take advantage of their second chances with Barber making a layup while getting fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound. The senior converted on the free throw to make it a one-point game. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but two buckets in the final minute by the Panthers gave FT a 37-33 lead at the break.
 
It did not take long for the Sailfish to grab the lead in the second half. A 3-pointer from Nunn gave PBA a 41-39 advantage with 15 minutes remaining in the game. Minutes later, a 6-0 run gave the Sailfish some breathing room as PBA led 52-45 with 11 minutes left in the game.
 
A layup by Jasmin at the seven-minute mark gave PBA an 11-point lead, its largest of the game; however, the Panthers continued to hang around. FT began to make a run with three minutes remaining. Three PBA turnovers allowed FT to cut the deficit to three points with a minute left. With PBA leading by three, a technical foul from the Panther's bench led to two made free throws by the 'Fish which just about sealed the game. Jackson sank two more free throws with 15 seconds left to ice the game and clinch the 74-69 win.
 
PBA came away with the win despite going 6-for-26 from 3-point range in the game. The Sailfish were also held to 40 percent shooting, but was able to make up for it by getting to the free-throw line and forcing 20 Florida Tech turnovers.
 
The Sailfish will take a week and a half break before they head to Daytona Beach, Fla. to play Embry-Riddle next Saturday. Tip-off for that game takes place at 6 p.m.