BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team played its final road game of the regular season on Wednesday night against the Lynn Fighting Knights.
After winning their last two games on last-second shots, PBA (20-7, 13-6 SSC) was in a similar predicament again. Trailing by three with 16 seconds remaining, the Sailfish got three looks from 3-point land, but couldn't get them to drop. PBA's nine-game winning streak was snapped, losing to Lynn (11-14, 7-12 SSC) 76-73.
Dan Largey led the 'Fish with 20 points with four 3-pointers.
Malek Barber followed with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Jules Jasmin and
De'Ondre Jackson finished with 11 points each while Darius Nunn has 10 points with six assists.
PBA did not have its best night on offense as it was held to 39 percent from the field, including a 35-percent performance in the second half. The Sailfish also shot just 27 percent from 3-point range on 26 attempts. Lynn won the rebounding battle, 32-26.
The hosts were knocking down shots at a high rate of efficiency to start the game. Lynn led 25-20 through the first 10 minutes of action. The Fighting Knights were not afraid to let it fly from deep in the first half. Starting at the eight-minute mark in the period, five of the next six made field goals from Lynn were from beyond the arc. With two and a half minutes left, PBA trailed 44-34; however, it was able to cut into the deficit before halftime.
The 'Fish ended the half on a 5-0 run, all coming from the free throw line, to make it a 44-39 game at the break. Lynn attempted 19 threes in the first half and it converted on 42 percent of them.
Jules Jasmin led the 'Fish with 11 points in the period.
The Sailfish wasted little time tying the game in the second period, A 3-pointer by Jackson tied the game at 46, three minutes into the half. Lynn answered back though as the Fighting Knights regained the lead and consistently held a two-possession advantage for the majority of the second half.
PBA made its final pushed with four and a half minutes remaining. The 'Fish trailed by eight, but a layup by Jackson started a small run for the Sailfish that got them back into the game. Two free throws from Largey down the stretch made it a one possession game with 47 seconds left. PBA forced a turnover on the defensive end, but it was unable to sink that last bucket it needed.
PBA's defense improved in the second half. The 'Fish forced 13 Lynn turnovers in the period and held them to 23 percent from three.
The Sailfish wrap up regular season play against No. 5 Florida Southern on Saturday. The game at Rubin Arena will start at 4 p.m. PBA will be honoring its seniors before tip-off.
