WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team played its Sunshine State Conference opener on Wednesday night at Rollins.

The Sailfish (4-0, 1-0 SSC) showcased high intensity on the defensive end against the Tars. PBA did a good job dictating pace against a Rollins (3-2, 0-1 SSC) team that prefers to get up and down. The Tars entered the game averaging over 80 points per game on offense, but the stout Sailfish defense held the hosts to shooting 35 percent from the field and forced 15 turnovers. The Sailfish won their first SSC game of the season in controlling fashion, 86-66.

Will Lee led the Sailfish with 18 points, including 13 in the second half. The point guard converted on four 3-pointers with three assists and three rebounds. The other member of the backcourt, Joshua Ward finished with 13 points, six assists, and four steals. Graham Worland came off the bench for 12 points and three rebounds. Jamaal Walker and Broderick Ellis scored 10 points each. Jose Roberto Tanchyn grabbed a team-high eight boards off the bench.

The Sailfish defense set the tone in the first half. PBA forced the Tars into eight first-half turnovers, which helped create 12 points for the 'Fish on offense. PBA controlled the pace and was aggressive around the rim, getting to the foul line. The Sailfish shot 19 free throws in the first half, converting on 17. A 3-pointer from Lee ended the first half with PBA ahead 43-31.

PBA's defensive intensity carried into the second half, allowing PBA to increase its lead. A layup from Ward and a triple from Lee made it 52-33 PBA with 17 minutes to play. Some turnovers by the Sailfish allowed Rollins to chip away at PBA's lead with a steal and dunk making it a 10-point lead with 10 minutes to play.  The Sailfish ended the thought of a Tars comeback, stringing together tops and converting on offense. A 3-pointer from Worland gave PBA its largest lead of the game, 81-58 with over three minutes to play. The Sailfish cruised to an 86-66 win.

The Sailfish shot 49 percent from the floor in the game, including 60 percent in the second half. PBA excelled at chasing Rollins off the 3-point line, holding the Tars to 20 percent from beyond the arc. Rollins won the rebounding battle 39-35, including 16 offensive rebounds, but many of its offensive boards were long rebounds away from the rim, limiting easy second-chance points.

PBA travels for Florida Southern for a big test on Saturday. The game on Saturday is set for a 7:30 PM start in Lakeland, Fla.