WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team pulled off the biggest win in program history on Wednesday night, upsetting No. 1-ranked Nova Southeastern.
Graham Worland knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to make it a three-point lead for PBA (12-2, 5-1 SSC) with five seconds remaining. NSU (13-1, 5-1 SSC) forced a contested three as time expired, but it was well off the mark. The Sailfish upset the Sharks, 87-84, taking down the top-ranked team in the country and the three-time defending SSC champions.
Tonight's win is the first over a top-ranked team in program history. It is the first PBA victory over NSU since February 2020, when the Sharks were ranked No. 10. The Sailfish entered the game receiving votes in the NABC top 25 and ranked No. 19 in the D2 College Sports Communicators poll.
Alvin Tumblin Jr. led the Sailfish offense with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Graham Worland totaled 15 points, including the last five points of the game for PBA.
Joshua Ward orchestrated the 'Fish attack, playing 38 minutes and scoring 13 points with 11 dimes and six rebounds.
Broderick Ellis played a key role for the 'Fish, scoring 11 points with three boards, one steal, and one block.
Jakob Hester tallied 10 points with three assists and two rebounds.
Jose Roberto Tanchyn played big minutes, scoring eight points with seven rebounds and three assists.
The Sailfish led for most of the first half. PBA was on fire from the field in the opening period shooting 61 percent against NSU's aggressive, pressing defense. The Sailfish excelled on the defensive end, holding the Sharks to 40 percent shooting from the field and 2-for-13 from beyond the arc. The visitors made up the difference by rebounding the ball, pulling down eight offensive boards, and leading to seven second-chance points. The press started to affect the Sailfish towards the end of the half. PBA ended the period with nine turnovers, leading to 14 points off miscues. PBA held a slim 43-42 lead at halftime, the second time NSU trailed at the break this season.
NSU quickly built a lead of its own to open the second half as the Sharks started to get shots to fall from deep. PBA persevered, taking care of the basketball despite NSU's continuous pressure. The Sailfish only turned it over three times in the second half. Ward did not turn it over one time in the second half. Tanchyn also played a big role in PBA's press break, allowing the 'Fish to execute on offense. NSU led for over 15 minutes of the second half, but the Sailfish never let the lead get out of hand. The deficit never grew larger than eight points.
Trailing by four points with 2:08 to play, the Sailfish had some work to do. Tumblin Jr. made a floater in the paint to make it a one-possession game. The Sailfish forced a stop on the defensive end giving themselves a chance to tie or take the lead. Worland was fouled attempting a 3-pointer, sending him to the charity stripe. The sophomore knocked down all three shots to give the Sailfish an 85-84 lead. Both teams came up empty on their next possessions, with the Sailfish regaining possession with five seconds left. The ball found the hands of Worland, who was fouled, sending him back to the free-throw line. The Moravian Prep alumni knocked down both free throws with confidence, making it a three-point lead for the Sailfish. PBA forced a tough shot for NSU as time expired, holding on to win 87-84.
PBA outshot Nova Southeastern 57 percent to 41 percent. The 'Fish converted on 7-of-17 shots from beyond the arc while chasing NSU off the 3-point line on defense (7-for-27). PBA's 12 turnovers were the lowest NSU has forced in a game this season. NSU's 84 points are the lowest the team has scored all season.
Tonight's win moves PBA into a three-way tie for first place in the Sunshine State Conference. The 'Fish are tied with a 5-1 league record with NSU and Florida Southern. The Sailfish are 1-0 against both teams this season. The 'Fish are back in action on Saturday, hosting Eckerd. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
