By: Michael Demyan
Photo Credit: Lynn Athletic Communications
After a strong first half, the Lynn University Fighting Knights held off a late push from the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish on the road Saturday evening to win 75-73.
The win extended their winning streak to four games and in the process have brought their overall (8-7) and conference (5-4) records over .500 for the first time this season.
“We’ve just been sticking to the game plan through these last four games and that’s been helping us a lot more,” point guard Brandon Bornelus said. “Our defense has been the best I’ve ever seen it been for the whole season.”
The Sailfish started off the scoring with a three-pointer from Dakota Zinser, but the Fighting Knights’ Kevin O’Brien answered back with one of his own 12 seconds later.
The lead repeatedly changed hands until Lynn began to slowly inch away, holding a 27-19 lead with 7:37 remaining in the half.
The Sailfish looked like they were about to hang on to contention, bringing the score back to within six thanks to a layup from Jules Jasmin, but the Fighting Knights kicked it back into high gear with a 9-0 run. All nine points were scored by Bornelus off of a layup that turned into a three-point play and two three-pointers. Suddenly Lynn held a commanding 38-23 lead with just over five minutes left before halftime.
Lynn’s stellar shooting continued with help from O’Brien on the defensive end. After his defensive rebound lead to a basket by Bornelus, he stole the ball on PBA’s next possession. After a timeout, Ryan Peterson took it in for the easy layup.
While the Sailfish still hadn’t found their offensive stride, they were able to keep the Fighting Knights scoreless for the final three minutes of the half, which showed a preview of what was to come when play resumed.
The scoreless stretch continued for another two minutes into the second half before Lynn’s Jamal Palmer found the basket, but with just 11 minutes left in the game, they still held onto a commanding 17-point lead.
The Sailfish started to gain momentum though, leading to a slam dunk from Grant Gullet. It was part of a 14-0 run which brought them to only a three-point deficit with just under two minutes remaining.
Lynn’s Rasheed Worrell finally put an end to the run with a dunk of his own and with 53 seconds left, the Fighting Knights added on to extend their lead to five. The slight comfort would not last long however, as PBA’s Marshall Riddle sunk an important three-pointer, bringing them back to within two with only 46 seconds left in the game.
It all came down to the final two seconds. Gullet drove to the basket and missed a layup and the Fighting Knights narrowly escaped with the 75-73 victory.
Palmer led the Fighting Knights with 22 points, including making 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Bornelus also had a strong night with 19 points and a career-high seven assists. Michael Baez (14) and Worrell (10) reached double digit points as well.
It was the first win for Lynn against the Sailfish in three years.
Next up for the Fighting Knights will be a trip to Barry University tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.