WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team came up just short against Florida Institute of Technology, falling 78-77 at the Charles & Ruth Clemente Center on Wednesday night.

The Sailfish took a late one-point lead after Preston Le Gassick's layup with 23 seconds left. PBA played good defense on the final possession, but a fadeaway jumper from Florida Tech gave the hosts the lead with seven seconds to go. PBA's last-second shot from deep was not good as the No. 12th ranked 'Fish fell to the Panthers, 78-77. Tech hit its last six shots from the field, including four 3-pointers to steal the victory.

Le Gassick led the way with 23 points, hitting 8-of-14 from the field, along with dishing out five assists. This game marks his fourth straight with at least five assists. Alvin Tumblin Jr. chipped in 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and snagged three steals.  The 'Fish, now 20-4 overall and 12-4 in the Sunshine State Conference, got a significant boost from their bench, which added 28 points in this nail-biter. Trent McNair added nine points, all from downtown, and three assists. Blake Wilson added nine points of his own with a pair of 3-pointers.

The 'Fish started strong, making the most of their chances inside and from long range in the first half. They knocked down seven 3-pointers and picked up 18 points from the bench, showing off their depth and shooting prowess. Tumblin electrified the crowd with two dunks, including a fast-break slam, while Wilson and Le Gassick bolstered the momentum with clutch 3-pointers. Wilson's efforts also continued his streak of scoring at least nine points in four consecutive games.

On defense, the Sailfish forced nine turnovers and collected 16 rebounds, keeping the pressure on Tech. They matched the Panthers with 10 second-chance points, heading into halftime with a 42-33 lead, setting a brisk pace for the rest of the contest.

The second half saw PBA maintaining its edge for nearly the entire half. Le Gassick played a pivotal role, assisting on a Tumblin layup and sinking a critical 3-pointer. Despite some turnovers, the Sailfish stayed aggressive with defensive rebounds from Graham Worland and Christian Kirkland, keeping the game intensely competitive.

In a tense finish, Kirkland's late-game heroics, including a key layup and free throw, put the 'Fish ahead. Tech briefly surged in front, but Le Gassick coolly sank crucial free throws. However, in the dying moments, the Panthers clinched the game with a jumper, securing a narrow victory over the Sailfish.

PBA returns home to host Eckerd on Saturday. The game in Rubin Arena is set for 4 p.m.