Alex Brown poured in a career-high 33 points (six three-pointers) on Wednesday night against the State College of Florida, leading the Saints to a double overtime victory over the Manatees, 101-94. LaBrian Shiflet scored 20 to help pace SF (3-2), including two big threes in the first overtime.
The Saints came out of the gates on fire, connecting on five of their first six shots, and led by as many as nine in the early going before SCF turned things around and tied the score at 22-22 after a 15-6 run with four minutes to go. SF saw their lead grow to five at the half time break thanks to a deep three-pointer by Alex Brown.
Brown continued to knock down shots in the second half, turning a two point lead into a 55-43 game with a 10-0 run, eight of the points his.
The largest lead of the game came after a breakaway layup by LaBrian Shiflet made is 66-52 Santa Fe with 7:02 remaining. From there, the Manatees slowly chipped away, eventually tying the score with 24 seconds left after some costly turnovers and missed free throws by the Saints kept them in the game.
In the first over time, it looked like SF may pull away after back to back three-pointers by Shiflet, but Daniel Duarte matched him with two of his own to send the game to a second OT.
Santa Fe’s Joshua Hawkins started the second overtime with a three-pointer, Javon Heastie made it a two possession game with a three-pointer with two minutes to go, and Alex Brown sealed the game with four free throws down the stretch.
Joining Brown and Shiflet in double figures were Benjy Dumornay with 13 points (10 rebounds), and Heastie with 12 points.
Santa Fe shot 51.5 percent from the field, 48 percent from the three point line, and 77 percent from the free throw line.
The Saints will play again at home on November 14 at 4 p.m. against ASA College (Miami). The game can be seen live at www.santafesaints.com.