BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team traveled to Lynn for a first-round Sunshine State Conference tournament matchup.

PBA entered the game as the No. 6 seed, facing off against the No. 3 seed Fighting Knights. It was the grudge match against the two teams who split during the regular season. Lynn punched the 'Fish in the mouth to start the game, but the Sailfish worked themselves back into the ballgame at halftime. Joshua Ward was a bright spot for the Sailfish with 22 points, but the Fighting Knights' offense proved too much for the 'Fish as the hosts won, 85-66, to advance in the tournament.

Ward led the 'Fish in scoring, converting on 9-of-16 attempts with four rebounds, four steals, and one block. Jamaal Walker finished with 12 points with two assists and one steal. Graham Worland added 10 points off the bench with three rebounds and two assists. Alvin Tumblin Jr. tallied nine points with five rebounds. Jakob Hester led PBA with eight rebounds. 

Lynn hit the Sailfish early with an onslaught of 3-pointers. Hot shooting from the hosts allowed the Fighting Knights to build a 22-point lead at the 9:40 mark in the first half. PBA had work to do but chipped away at Lynn's lead with the trio of Walker, Ward, and Worland getting the Sailfish offense going. After stringing together some stops on defense, PBA cut the lead back down to single digits towards the end of the first half. The Sailfish entered halftime trailing 43-33. 

The Sailfish hung with Lynn to start the second half, but a 14-2 run from the Fighting Knights put the hosts in control, 71-49 with 8:02 to play. Lynn shut down any hopes of a Sailfish comeback, winning the quarterfinal matchup 85-66.

Lynn outshot the 'Fish 48 percent to 40 percent in the game. The Fighting Knights converted on 42 percent from three on 33 attempts. The 'Fish shot their free throws well, making 11-of-13. Lynn won the rebounding battle 35-30. 

The game marks the end of PBA's men's basketball season. The Sailfish concluded their fourth season under head coach Cole Rose. The season was highlighted by the best start in program history (15-3) and the first top-25 ranking in the country.