BOCA RATON, Fla.- Lynn University's men's basketball team lost to Palm Beach Atlantic (5-9), 56-53, on Saturday afternoon in the de Hoernle Center. Aaron Harrison led the Fighting Knights (6-5) with 14 points and 14 rebounds while being the only player with a double-double.
The Blue & White scored first on a bucket from Aaron Harrison deep in the paint but the Sailfish quickly answered back. Lynn however would hold a slight advantage throughout the first half despite the lead changing four times. Lynn took its largest lead of twelve with 3:59 remaining in the half before heading into the locker rooms ahead 30-28.
PBA's Christian Martinez led all scorers in the first half with nine points. Fred Landers and Aaron Harrison each had seven points for the Blue & White while Kaleb Clyburn added five points and three assists.
The Fighting Knights shot 40 percent from the field while holding the visitors to 39.4 percent. Lynn out rebounded the Sailfish 21-15 in the first frame and was led by Harrison and Cory Thomas who each had five boards.
Palm Beach Atlantic evened the score in the opening minute of the second half. The Sailfish led by seven with 5:53 remaining but Lynn would not go down easy. A trey by Josh Soto with 4:15 remaining gave the Blue & White the spark it needed when it cut the deficit to three with PBA up 50-47. PBA quickly responded but two successful free throws by Landers made it a two possession game.
Lynn found themselves down three points with just seconds remaining when Clyburn was fouled behind the arc. Missing two of the three free throws the Sailfish were able get possession back. A successful free throw later by the visitors Lynn had one last opportunity but the buzzer beat Haki Stampley's shot from downtown. Palm Beach Atlantic went on to win 56-53 to split the season series 1-1.
Lynn shot 35.7 percent from the field in the loss while three players scored in double digits. Palm Beach Atlantic's bench scored 26 points off the bench on 43.5 percent from the field. Martinez led the Sailfish with 12 points. Clyburn dished out a game-high six assists while Stampley and Landers each had ten points.
Lynn will return to Sunshine State Conference play on Wednesday, January 8, when the Fighting Knights host Nova Southeastern at 7:30 pm. Fans can stay updated by logging on to LynnFightingKnights.com. Don't forget to log on to LynnFightingKnights.com and make sure to follow @LUKnights on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.
