MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team traveled to Florida Tech on Saturday, seeking the season sweep over the Panthers.

A pair of free throws from Florida Tech (16-9, 9-8 SSC) tied the game at 77 with six seconds to go. PBA (12-11, 8-9 SSC) had to take the ball the full length of the floor. Trent McNair brought the ball up and pass it back to a cutting Will Lee who hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game, 80-77 for the Sailfish.

Lee finished with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jalen Cooper showed out with a career-high 27 points with five rebounds and four assists. Ryan Claflin added 13 points with five rebounds. Trent McNair scored 11 points with three rebounds and three assists. Aleksa Rakic got a start tonight, tallying eight points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Sailfish led for the majority of the first half due to some excellent shot-making from beyond the arc. PBA converted on seven of eight attempts from 3-point range in the first period.

A 3-pointer from Claflin with 3:24 left in the first half gave the 'Fish their largest lead of the game, 39-31. The Sailfish played an excellent first half on the offensive end, shooting 58 percent from the field and assisting on 13 of their 14 made field goals. 

Turnovers cost PBA as the first half wound down. A pair of 3-pointers and four more easy buckets allowed Florida Tech to lead 41-40 at halftime.

PBA jumped out to a five-point lead early in the second half thanks to some stout defense. The Panthers battled back leading 71-61 later in the half as the 'Fish went on a cold streak on the offensive end.

FT did a better job running PBA off the 3-point line in the second half, as the Sailfish attempted just five shots from deep in the second period.

The Sailfish worked their way back into the game by getting stops on the defensive end and getting some big buckets from Cooper on offense. The Holiday, Fla. native knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining to put PBA ahead, 77-75. The Sailfish got a stop on their end, but turned it over, leading to a transition opportunity for the Panthers who got fouled with six seconds to go.

FT knocked down both free throws to tie the game at 77 with six seconds to go. Coach Cole Rose called a timeout between shots where he drew up the last play of the game. Lee inbounded the ball to McNair who dribbled right and found Lee coming off a screen set by Broderick Ellis. He took an off-balance 3-pointer that was nothing but net as time expired, leading to the 80-77 win.

PBA outshot the hosts, 56 percent to 47 percent in the game. The Sailfish shot 70 percent from 3-point range and outrebounded the Panthers, 31-21. 

PBA returns home next week to host Lynn on Wednesday. The game in Rubin Arena takes place at 7:30 p.m.