WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team was led by a 34-point night by Jakob Hester in an 87-79 win over a ranked Embry-Riddle team on Saturday night.

The Sailfish led for over 37 minutes of action against an Eagles team that was ranked No. 23 in the NABC top 25 and No. 18 in the D2SIDA top 25. The win was PBA's first over a ranked team under head coach Cole Rose and the first for the program since Feb. 2020. Hester's 34 points were two shy of tying the Sailfish DII-era record for points in a game. Hester's performance is the most points scored since David Wood scored 34 in Feb. 2011 against Barry.

Hester finished 12-for-17 from the field and 9-for-10 from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds, five blocks, and four assists to his stat line. Will Lee added 19 points of his own with four assists. Jalen Cooper recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Bryce Laskey was a perfect 4-for-4 from three off the bench. 

Hester went to work early in the first half. He scored 11 of PBA's first 16 points in the game. The trio of Hester, Cooper, and Lee carried the offense for most of the opening period. Hester scored 21, followed by 12 for Cooper and eight for Lee.

The 'Fish led by as much as 15 in the period, but the Eagles came back with two layups and a pair of threes to make it 42-34 with 1:43 remaining in the first half. Laskey struck back for PBA, knocking down two threes to put PBA ahead by double digits again. The Sailfish led 47-37 at halftime.

ERAU immediately cut the lead back down to single digits to start the second period. The Sailfish kept their composure, even as the visitors shifted into a full-court press on defense. The PBA lead was cut to four after a steal and dunk by the Eagles; Hester, Laskey, and Lee got the 'Fish back on track, scoring on consecutive possessions. 

The Sailfish held an advantage over the Eagles for the entire second half. The Eagles cut the deficit to four with a minute to play, but Cooper and Lee knocked down their free throws in crunch time, leading to an 87-79 win for PBA.

The 'Fish outshot the visitors, 51 percent to 42 percent, including a 47.6 3-point percentage for PBA. The hosts knocked down 25 free throws on 26 attempts, compared to a 12-for-22 performance at the charity stripe for the Eagles. ERAU snagged 19 offensive rebounds leading to 20 second-chance points.

PBA hits the road on Wednesday to play Barry. The game in Miami Shores, Fla. starts at 7:30 p.m.