WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team hosted No. 2-ranked Nova Southeastern in an SSC matchup on Saturday.

The Sailfish hung with the defending national champions for most of the first half, but the Sharks high-pressure defense wore PBA down. NSU capitalized on some PBA miscues, totaling 30 points off turnovers in the game. The Sharks, who entered the game in the bottom half of the conference in 3-point percentage, caught fire from deep. The visitors hit 57 percent of their 3-pointers on 23 attempts, allowing them to pull away for a 115-96 win.

Jamaal Walker led the Sailfish with 30 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Grant Ledford scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers, eight rebounds, and six assists. Marcus Montalvo tallied 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Will Lee added nine points and five assists. Ryan Claflin scored eight points off the bench with four blocks and one steal.

The Sailfish withstood NSU's pressure through the first eight minutes of action. 3-pointers from Montalvo, Lee, and McNair gave PBA an early lead in the game. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, the Sharks were even hotter from three in the first half. NSU converted on 9-of-12 3-point attempts in the first half. Hot shooting helped the visitors lead 59-46 at halftime.

Walker scored 12 points in the first period while Montalvo and Lee added nine and seven points, respectfully. The 'Fish shot over 50 percent in the half, but NSU shot over 60 percent.

A scoring drought from PBA in the second half allowed the Sharks to build a 71-52 lead with 15:55 left to play. 3-pointers from Ledford and Walker cut the deficit to 11, but Sailfish turnovers allowed NSU to extend its lead again. The Sharks kept their distance from PBA for the rest of the contest, winning 115-96.

PBA did a good job limiting NSU's offensive rebounding. NSU only outrebounded the Sailfish 33-31. The Sailfish shot 57 percent in the second half and ended at a 55 percent field goal percentage for the game, including 50 percent from 3-point range. The Sharks finished the game shooting 61 percent from the field. NSU cooled off from three in the second half but did a better job getting to the free throw line, shooting 23 free throws in the second half.

The Sailfish compete again on Wednesday, traveling to Saint Leo. The tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.