November 11, 2011 Contact: Scott Jamison 352.395.5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu
SF MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOLMES AND THE SAINTS DEFEAT DEFENDING STATE CHAMPS TALLAHASSEE 64-59
Gainesville, FL – Santa Fe sophomore Brian Holmes 21 points, including 17 in the second half, to lead the FCSAA #7 Saints past the defending State Champion and #3 ranked Tallahassee CC Eagles on Friday afternoon, 64-59.
SF held TCC to just 33% shooting from the field for the game and just 23% in the first half. The Eagles first field goal didn’t come until the 12:00 minute mark of the game.
“This was a good, hard fought victory for our team,” said SF Coach Chris Mowry. “We played hard and defended well in both halves.”
The Saints jumped out early on the Eagles, building a 10-2 lead just five minutes into the game. TCC chipped away and with two late baskets cut the margin to 27-25 at the break.
“We continued to battle all half, but a few late turnovers hurt us down the stretch,” said Mowry. “Our defense made up for a lack of offense and kept us in the lead.”
Tallahassee carried the momentum of the first half into the second, taking their first lead of the game just seconds in on a three pointer by Malcolm Sapp. Santa Fe answered with an 8-2 run capped by a jumper in the paint by Brian Holmes to put SF up 34-30.
TCC bounced right back to take a 41-36 lead on the strength of Christian Farmer’s outside shooting, but once again the Saints would not be outdone as they tied the game at 41-41 just two minutes later on a Kevin Harden free throw.
With the score knotted at 51-51 and just under four minutes to go, Roger McLeod Jr. and Matt Conway combined to score four straight SF points, put the Saints up 55-51.
TCC kept things interesting, cutting the lead to 60-59 with 20 seconds remaining, but Brian Holmes put it away with four straight free throws down the stretch to ice the win.
“We had some guys step up and make some clutch shots and knock down free throws,” said Mowry. “Those are the things you have to do to defeat a team the caliber of Tallahassee.”
Holmes led the way with 21 points and four rebounds and Matt Conway contributed 12 points and five rebounds. Marko Djekovic led SF with five assists and Keshaun Hamilton finished with a team high eight rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
“Brian really stepped up in the second half for us with his 17 points,” Mowry said. “Matt gave us 31 minutes and held his own inside with Roger and Keshaun in foul trouble.”
The Saints and Eagles will play again on December 2 in Marianna at Chipola College in the Panhandle Classic.
“Hopefully our guys will build on this great team effort moving forward,” said Mowry. “We have two tough games next week and then we see TCC again at the beginning of December.”
Santa Fe hosts State College of Florida-Manatee on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 PM and Hillsborough CC on Saturday, November 19 at 2:00 PM.
For complete schedules and more information on Saints Men’s Basketball, please visit www.sfcollege.edu/athletics. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.
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