Gainesville, FL – Playing short-handed, the Santa Fe Saints (16-10) held Thursday night to defeat Victory Rock Prep by a score of 82-72. D-Juan Taylor-Hodge led the effort, scoring 14 points to go with 15 rebounds and six assists.
“D-Juan was a big part of our success tonight,” said SF Coach Chris Mowry. “He worked hard at both ends of the floor and on the glass.”
The game was tight through the first 20 minutes, with the Blue Devils of Victory Rock fight back from two separate 10 point deficits to make it a four-point game at the halftime break, 36-32.
Too many turnovers early in the second half put the Saints behind for the first time since the opening seconds of the game, 48-47 at the 14:09 mark.
A big run by SF pushed the lead out to 63-50, a lead that would get smaller, but one they wouldn’t give up.
“We played a little bit better defense down the stretch, made some plays and got enough stops,” said Mowry. We turned it over too many times but shot the ball well when we weren’t turning it over to them.”
The Blue Devils would get it to within six points in the closing minutes before the Saints put the game away.
Joining Taylor-Hodge in double figures were Jakob Dawkins with 16, Nick Peacock 11, Lazar Djurovic 11 and Darrell Jones 11.
The Santa Fe College bench outscored Victory Rock’s reserves 28-13.
The next game for the Saints will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 at home against Florida State College-Jacksonville at 8 p.m.
For complete schedules, stats and more information please visit www.santafesaints.com.