GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe College men's basketball beat Florida State College at Jacksonville for a second time this season, 73-61 inside the SF Gymnasium.

The lead changed hands just two times, and Santa Fe had the edge for the final 27 minutes of play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The hosts went in front 8-2 early, but then hit a bit of a dry spell. FSCJ was able to establish a 16-11 lead about midway through the opening half on the strength of a 10-0 run.

That would be the highlight of the night for the Blue Wave, however, as SF responded in a big way to stake claim to a 35-25 lead at halftime.

A 28-14 rebounding edge played a key factor in the opening half for the Saints. Nasir Mann and Nigel Martin's eight points apiece led the way offensively.

Six points would be as close as FSCJ would come in the second half, as Santa Fe remained comfortably in front.

The game's largest margin of 14 points occurred on two occasions in the final five minutes, both following Cole Deptula three-pointers.

UPDATED RECORDS

Santa Fe – 12-8, 4-2 Central

FSCJ – 5-14, 1-5 Central

KEY STATISTICS

The Saints hit 12 three-pointers to just five for FSCJ.

The rebounding battle was 45-33 in favor of SF.

Four Saints notched double-digit scoring. Mann had 13 points and eight rebounds, Jalen Speer and Deptula finished with 12, and Martin poured in 11.

Speer dished out a game-high seven assists, while Nikolaos Noumeros added nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds in the victory.  

UP NEXT

The Saints (12-8, 4-2 Central) will tipoff with No. 24 Eastern Florida in Melbourne, Fla. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 4:00 p.m.