WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's basketball team clinched an impressive 87-79 win over Rollins College on Saturday at the Alfond Sports Center. The 'Fish, now 22-4 overall and 14-4 in the Sunshine State Conference, made the most of 18 Rollins turnovers, turning them into 19 crucial points to stay ahead.

Preston Le Gassick was on fire, leading the charge with 26 points, including four buckets from beyond the arc, along with five assists. This marked his third straight game with at least seven field goals. Clay Payne was a powerhouse as well, racking up 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbing six rebounds, hitting a season-high in points. Christian Kirkland was a defensive standout with four blocks and four steals, adding nine points to his name. Alvin Tumblin Jr. chipped in with six points, two steals, and three assists in limited minutes. Jakob Hester stepped up, tallying 13 points off the bench with four boards.

The game started with the Sailfish seizing early control through sharp defense and quick breaks. Tumblin and Le Gassick fueled the rapid start, with Tumblin's assists and a dunk helping the 'Fish to jump to a 9-4 lead by 16:24. The team capitalized on turnovers to keep the pressure on, frequently scoring in the paint.

As the first half unfolded, the 'Fish stepped up, with Tyler Burton and Payne making key plays, including a three-pointer and a dunk. Despite Rollins' attempts to close the gap, the Sailfish defense remained solid, notching six steals and three blocks. The half ended in a nail-biting 41-41 tie, thanks to Le Gassick's buzzer-beater jumper.

The second half saw Palm Beach Atlantic come out strong, with Burton sinking a 3-pointer off a Le Gassick assist to edge ahead. Payne continued to shine offensively, with a layup and a dunk backed by Kirkland's support, stretching the 'Fish's lead to 53-46. The team stayed on top of Rollins' mistakes, maintaining momentum with strategic assists and defensive rebounds.

Le Gassick's hot hand from three-point range and Hester's solid play inside helped the Sailfish widen their lead. The team was efficient at the free-throw line, with Le Gassick and Hester leading the charge in the closing moments. The 'Fish wrapped up the game with a decisive 87-79 victory.

PBA has its home regular season finale on Wednesday against Embry-Riddle. The game in Rubin Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.