MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team played the first round of the Sunshine State Conference tournament on Tuesday night at Florida Tech.

The Sailfish got a stellar performance from Jalen Cooper, but it was not enough to carry PBA to a win. The Panthers had their way on the offensive end of the floor in the first half, leading to a 45-22 lead at the break. Cooper tried to get the 'Fish back in the game, but it was too late. Florida Tech defeated the 'Fish, 77-62. The Panthers got revenge on a PBA team that swept them in the regular season.

Cooper scored 28 points with 12 rebounds and two assists. Will Lee scored 10 points with four assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Marcus Montalvo and Aleksa Rakic added six points each. Ryan Claflin made his presence felt on defense with three blocks and one steal. Trent McNair also made some big defensive players, finishing with three steals and two blocks.

The Sailfish came out of the gates cold, shooting 28 percent from the field in the period. Cooper was the only PBA player who could muster some success on offense in the first half. The sophomore scored 16 points with six rebounds in the first half.

PBA hung with the Panthers for the first 10 minutes of action, but a 20-5 run by Florida Tech as the half was winding down, created a big deficit against the 'Fish. The run, aided by seven PBA turnovers, led to the 45-22 deficit at halftime.

The Sailfish cut the lead down into the teens in the second half. PBA couldn't find the mark from 3-point range, going 2-for-19 from deep in the game. The Sailfish failed to get the offense going enough to go on a run. Florida Tech kept its distance for the entirety of the second half, winning 77-62.

The Sailfish stepped it up on the defensive end in the second half, holding Florida Tech to 28 percent shooting in the period. The 'Fish defense forced FT into 20 turnovers, leading to 22 points off turnovers. PBA was still outshot by the hosts in the game, 42 percent to 31 percent. FT won the rebounding battle, 51-35. 

PBA finishes the season with a 14-13 record. Florida Tech moves on in the SSC tournament to face No. 1-ranked Nova Southeastern in the semifinals on Thursday.