WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team hosted No. 3 ranked Nova Southeastern Saturday evening.

PBA (4-3, 1-3 SSC) hung with the Sharks for most of the first half, but a quick run by NSU (8-0, 3-0 SSC) allowed the defending SSC champions to break the game open. The Sharks forced their fast-paced and physical style on the Sailfish with a full-court pressing defense. NSU defeated the 'Fish 100-78.

Marcus Montalvo led PBA with 16 points four rebounds and three assists. Bryce Laskey followed with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Jalen Cooper and Trent McNair tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds each. Ryan Claflin scored nine points and three assists.

As expected, NSU started the game with an aggressive defense. The Sailfish took care of the ball and kept their composure against the press for the first 11 minutes. A triple from Kolbe Ashe and a layup by Claflin made it 27-25 NSU with a little more than eight minutes left in the first half. The Sharks eventually made their run. Within a four-minute span, NSU pulled away to an 18-point lead thanks to several PBA turnovers.

PBA worked itself back into the game before halftime. The visitors led 51-38 at halftime after forcing 11 PBA turnovers in the period. The 'Fish shot 44 percent in the opening half with Cooper and Montalvo scoring eight points each.

NSU came out with a higher intensity in the second half. The Sharks pulled away to a 26-point lead after the first 10 minutes of the second half. NSU kept control for most of the half, leading to a 100-78 lead.

NSU won the rebounding battle 53-37 and the turnover battle 18-12. 

The Sailfish are back in action on Tuesday night against Fort Lauderdale. The game at Rubin Arena tips off at 7:30 p.m.