Eckerd-Palm Beach Atlantic Box Score
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – David Wood and Clay Mbayi combined for 35 points and 21 rebounds to lead Palm Beach Atlantic to an 82-74 win over the visiting Eckerd College men's basketball team on Saturday.
Jonathan Lawrence had 17 points, while Dante Valentine and Matthew Gierl added 10 each, as the Sailfish (12-12) spoiled the regular season finale for Eckerd (20-7).
Lance Kearse tied his career high with 19 points for the Tritons, while Darrien Mack and Alex Bodney added 13 each.
But Eckerd was undone by an uncharacteristic rough night on the boards. The Tritons, who entered the week ranked fourth nationally in rebounding margin, were out-rebounded 41-34.
PBA had 22 offensive rebounds, which led to 30 points. Eckerd, meanwhile, managed just four second-chance points.
Despite the rebounding woes and an early 13-point deficit, the Tritons still fought back to take a 35-32 lead with 3:52 left in the first half.
The Sailfish, though, scored the final six points of the half to grab a 43-39 lead at halftime.
PBA got the first two baskets of the second half to increase the lead to 47-39, and the Tritons could never get the lead under three.
The Tritons will be the No. 3 seed in next week's 2011 BlueCross and BlueShield of Florida Sunshine State Conference Men's Basketball Championship. Eckerd will play host to No. 6 Lynn at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the McArthur Center.
The semifinals and finals will be played next Saturday and Sunday in Melbourne, Fla.
