MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team played the first of two scheduled away games this week, starting off with a matchup against SSC foe Barry.

The Sailfish shot the ball well against the Bucs, but turnovers proved costly for PBA (8-8, 4-6 SSC). Barry (7-8, 3-7 SSC) forced 18 Sailfish turnovers, resulting in 17 points. On the flip side, the 'Fish only forced three turnovers, scoring two points off BU miscues. That made the difference in the game as PBA fell to the Bucs, 90-81.

Will Lee led PBA's offense with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He had an efficient night from the floor, shooting 8-for-14 from the field with four triples. Jalen Cooper notched another double-double with 18 points and 11 boards. Ryan Claflin totaled 13 points with eight rebounds and three 3-pointers. Trent McNair recorded nine points while fellow freshman Kolbe Ashe added eight points off the bench.

The PBA offense struggled to take care of the ball in the first half. The 'Fish were forced into 13 turnovers in the period. Barry scored 13 points off PBA mistakes in the first half. The Bucs led by as many as nine points, despite PBA shooting 60 percent in the first half, including 54 percent from 3-point range. Baskets from Claflin and Cooper cut the lead down to six as the hosts led, 47-41 at halftime.

The duo of Cooper and Claflin scored 10 points each in the opening half.

PBA cleaned up the turnovers in the second half and cut into the Bucs' lead. Lee got to work early in the second half. Buckets from him, Cooper, and McNair made it 54-52 with 15:49 to play. 

A free throw from Jakob Hester made it a one-point game, but a 14-3 run from Barry put Barry ahead 68-56 with 10:37 to play. The 'Fish answered with an 8-0 run of their own, including a triple from Lee to make it 68-66 with nine minutes to go, but the Bucs continued to hold onto their lead.

The Sailfish cooled off from 3-point range in the second half, keeping them from completing the comeback. Barry went a perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line in the second half to hold on for the 90-81 win.

PBA outshot Barry in the game, 52 percent to 48 percent. The Sailfish also won the rebounding battle, 37-25. Lee scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half.

The Sailfish travel again on Saturday to face Eckerd. The game in St. Petersburg starts at 5:00 p.m.