MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team started 2024 on a high note. The Sailfish came back from a 15-point second-half deficit to steal a game against Florida Tech.

A layup from Dan Braster tied the game with about 12 seconds to go in the game. The Sailfish defense forced a crucial turnover to earn a possession with seven seconds to go. Sophomore Trent McNair drove into the lane and drew a foul with one second left. He knocked down the first free throw that lifted PBA (9-4, 3-2 SSC) over Florida Tech (9-2, 2-2 SSC), 75-74.

Will Lee led PBA's offense with 15 points, including nine in the second half. He recorded four assists and three rebounds with one steal. Micah Jones provided 12 points off the bench. Grant Ledford, Jamaal Walker, and Braster finished with 10 points each. Braster led the 'Fish with seven rebounds. Ledford tallied six rebounds and three assists. Walker recorded four boards and three assists with one block.

The Sailfish held an early lead in the game with a layup from Ledford making it 24-22 at the eight-minute mark. Turnovers proved costly for the Sailfish in the period. PBA totaled 12 turnovers in the half, leading to 19 points for the Panthers. The miscues allowed the hosts to build a 45-40 lead at halftime. Both offenses shot over 50 percent in the half. Marcus Montalvo and Jones each scored seven points in the first half.

A scoring drought at the beginning of the second half allowed Florida Tech to pull away. A 13-2 run from the Panthers made it 65-50 with 10 minutes to play. The Sailfish showed great fortitude, answering with a 15-3 run of their own, including seven points from Lee and six points from Braster, tying the game at 68 with 4:33 to play. The Panthers went cold on the offensive end, even at the free-throw line. The hosts shot 3-for-8 from the charity stripe and went 0-for-8 from three in the second half.

Braster and Lee came up clutch for the Sailfish down the stretch. The duo scored PBA's final four field goals before McNair clinched the 75-74 win with a free throw.

Florida Tech shot 38 percent from the field in the second half, dropping its field goal percent in the game to 46 percent, including 1-for-15 from deep. PBA shot 47 percent from the field, including 6-for-15 from 3-point range. The Sailfish did a better job limiting turnovers in the second half while forcing Florida Tech into nine, leading to 11 points.

PBA breaks for the weekend before traveling to Embry-Riddle next Wednesday. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off in Daytona Beach.