WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team hosted SSC opponent Saint Leo on Saturday evening.

After leading by 10 points at halftime, the Sailfish (6-7, 10-9 SSC) had to hold off a second-half comeback from the Lions. Saint Leo (15-8, 7-6 SSC) climbed all the way back, even taking a lead of its own, but a made 3-pointer from Trent McNair down the stretch, elevated PBA over SLU, 75-70.

Will Lee led PBA with 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Jakob Hester finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Jalen Cooper recorded 17 points with a team-high 11 rebounds and five assists. McNair scored eight points with six rebounds and a block.

The three-man show of Lee, Hester, and Cooper led the Sailfish offense in the first half. The trio accounted for PBA's first 26 points in the game, putting the Sailfish ahead 26-19 through the first 10 minutes of action. 

Some stout defense towards the end of the period allowed PBA to take a 42-28 lead after a 3-pointer from Lee with two and a half minutes to play in the first half. PBA led 43-33 at halftime.

Lee, Hester, and Cooper all reached double digits by halftime, with Lee leading the way with 14 points. The Sailfish shot nearly 60 percent as a team in the first half.

The Lions began to mount their comeback due to a six-minute PBA scoring drought as the Sailfish went cold from the field. Saint Leo did most of its work at the free throw line and by forcing turnovers. A steal and breakaway layup tied the game at 49 with 12:31 to play.

Saint Leo eventually led by four as the Sailfish struggled from the field. A free-throw line jumper from Kolbe Ashe and a 3-pointer by Lee snapped PBA out of its drought. A layup from Hester and a breakaway dunk from Cooper put PBA back in control, 68-64, with three minutes to go.

The Lions continued to hang around, tying the game at 68 with under two minutes to play. McNair's big 3-pointer and a free throw from Cooper put the 'Fish ahead by four. SLU made an open layup to make it a two-point game. 

Lee made one out of two free throws, giving Saint Leo a chance to tie. PBA needed one stop with 17 seconds left, and the Sailfish defense stood tall as McNair hauled in the rebound off a missed 3-pointer with five seconds left. The freshman knocked down two free throws to ice the game and sealed the 75-70 win.

After shooting 32 percent in the second half, PBA was outshot by Saint Leo in the game 47 percent to 44 percent. However, the Sailfish bested the Lions from 3-point range, shooting 38 percent as a team. PBA also outshot the visitors from the charity stripe and outrebounded them 38-30 in the game.

The Sailfish have a tough matchup on Wednesday at No. 2-ranked Nova Southeastern. The game in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. takes place at 7:30 p.m.