WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team hosted Florida Southern in the Sunshine State Conference tournament semifinals. The winner playing for a chance to face Saint Leo for the conference title on Sunday.
 
The intensity was high from the opening tip. Teams battled back and forth throughout the first half as the lead switched five times in the period. Florida Southern caught the hot hand from 3-point range in the second half which led them to a 104-86 win.
 
Dan Largey and Nate Ward led PBA with 22 points each. Largey was a rebound away from a double-double adding four assists, a block and a steal. Ward added five rebounds and three steals to go with his points. Alexander Gorton was right behind with 20 points of his own, shooting 7-of-9 from the field. Jules Jasmin finished with 12 points and six rebounds of his own.
 
Both offenses ran at a high-octane pace to start the game. The Sailfish tried to pull away, taking a 30-23 lead at the nine-minute mark after a steal and breakaway dunk from Ward. FSC continued to stick around as PBA's lead never grew larger than eight points. The Mocs made their push in the final minute of the half. A pair of turnovers by the 'Fish allowed the Mocs to take a 47-46 lead going into the break. Ward carried the PBA attack in the period, scoring 17 of his 22 points in the half.
 
PBA remained within striking distance for most of the second half, but were missing that final offensive burst. The Mocs answered every Sailfish run and began to heat up from range in the period. FSC went 8-for-9 from 3-point range in the half. It was just an eight-point game with a little over two minutes remaining, but FSC sealed the game at the free throw line down the stretch.
 
The final score does not accurately indicate how competitive of a contest the game was. PBA began fouling with over three minutes remaining in the game which led to FSC extending its lead down in the final minutes. The Mocs pulled away to win, 104-86.
 
The Sailfish shot well from the field in the game finishing at 53 percent from the field, including 8-for-19 from 3-point range. It was FSC's effort in the second half that made the difference. The Mocs shot 63 percent in the second half and outrebounded PBA 18-13 in the period.
 
Tonight's game brings PBA's unprecedented season to an end. Casey Carpinello and Matthew Johnson played their last games at Rubin Arena. Carpinello has played the 10th most games in PBA's DII-era while Johnson totaled over 400 points, 200 assists, 200 rebounds and 100 steals in his career.