WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team drew a packed house to Rubin Arena on Wednesday night for a matchup against No. 10 Nova Southeastern.
 
After taking the lead down the stretch, it seemed like the visiting NSU (19-4, 12-4 Sunshine State Conference) was going to avoid the upset, but De'Ondre Jackson had other plans. With PBA trailing 77-75 with 16 seconds remaining, Darhius Nunn kicked it out to Jackson on the wing who knocked down the contested 3-pointer which led to a 78-77 win for PBA (19-4, 12-4 SSC).
 
Jackson, who became PBA's NCAA DII-era career-points leader earlier in the game, led the 'Fish with 24 points with four 3-pointers. Jules Jasmin was right behind him with 21 points and six rebounds. Dan Largey added 17 points with six rebounds, and Nunn finished with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists. 
 
Tonight's win is the first Sailfish win over NSU since February 21, 2018. This is also the first PBA win over a NABC top-10 opponent since 2017.
 
PBA started strong early on with a pair of triples to start the game. An alley-oop dunk from Jasmin gave the 'Fish an early lead. PBA led the entire first half as it fed off the energy of the raucous home crowd. The Sailfish took a 44-35 lead into halftime.
 
NSU refused to go away in the second half. PBA kept its distance from the Sharks, but NSU began to make a run with nine minutes remaining. A 12-4 run for the Sharks gave NSU a 67-66 lead with six minutes left. PBA had to play from behind for the first time in the game. Jasmin tied it at 69 with a monstrous slam, but NSU answered with a layup and a 3-pointer to make it 74-69 with 2:45 remaining in the game. The situation looked bleak for the Sailfish after another triple made it 77-71 with two minutes left, but PBA continued to fight.
 
The Sailfish ended the game on a 7-0 run in the final two minutes of play. The duo of Jackson and Jasmin scored the final nine points for the 'Fish down the stretch. Jasmin drew a crucial charge on the defensive end with 19 seconds left that led to PBA's final possession and the game-winner by Jackson which clinched the 77-75 lead.
 
PBA outshot the Sharks, 49 percent to 41 percent. The Sailfish defense held NSU to a 27-percent performance from beyond the arc. Both teams were neck and neck in several categories in the game. Both teams tallied 42 points in the paint. PBA edged the visitors in points off turnovers 16-14 while NSU outscored the 'Fish in second chance points 23-17. NSU also held a small advantage on the boards, outrebounding PBA 42-38. 
 
The Sailfish travel to Rollins on Saturday as they look to increase their winning streak to nine. The game in Winter Park, Fla. takes place at 4 p.m.