WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team dropped their third consecutive game for the first time this season. A back-and-forth affair with a total of 19 lead changes ended up with the Rollins Tars on top 73-69 in the end. 

The first half was incredibly tight with neither team gaining a lead of more than three points. Joshua Ward led the way for PBA with 11 points in the first half. After a Jose Roberto Tanchyn free throw gave the Sailfish a one-point lead with just under 90 seconds in the half, a Rollins layup and the foul put the Tars up two.  

However, after a defensive stop, head coach Cole Rose drew up a play and Ward executed taking the ball to the hoop for two points and tied the game at 35 going into the halftime break. It was a tough half from downtown for the 'Fish. PBA was 1-12 (8.3%) from beyond the arc. The shots taken were all good looks, but they just weren't falling.  

The second half was a period of runs by both teams. The largest lead of the game by either team was a seven-point gap owned by the Tars with a little under 5 minutes remaining in the game. The Sailfish were able to bridge the gap and take the lead thanks to an 8-2 run capped off by a Josh Ward layup with a little over two minutes to go. The lead was short lived as a three ball from Emilis Butkus swung the lead back over to Rollins. The Tars were able to stretch the lead back out to six. PBA tried to play the foul game and Tyler Burton made two three-pointers late but the clock was the enemy as Rollins made both free throws each time to the line.  

Joshua Ward led PBA in scoring with 18 points. Jose Tanchyn came in behind him with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Tyler Burton and Graham Worland both had 10 points.  

The Sailfish are off this midweek and will regroup in hopes of ending their three-game skid. PBA returns to the floor on Saturday night inside the Rubin Arena when they host the Saint Leo Lions.