PASCO OUTLASTS SAINTS, 73-70

December 13, 2009

December 12, 2009
Contact: Scott Jamison
352-395-5616
scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF MEN'S BASKETBALL

SAINTS COME BACK BID FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO PHCC, 73-70

Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe Saints (7-5) trailed by as many as 20 points on Saturday afternoon against Pasco-Hernando Community College in the JUCO Shootout, but fought back to get within three points with four seconds to go. Chad Renfro's last second shot went in as out as PHCC held on for the hard fought win.

"This was a tough loss, but we did some good things to get back into the game," said Saints Coach Chris Mowry. "Our guys never quit and Chad had a good look there at the end."

PHCC shot the ball well from the opening tip, jumping out to a 9-0 lead on two straight three pointers just two minutes into the game. Pasco slowly built their lead throughout the half and took a 41-25 lead into the break.

"Pasco did a nice job early on knocking down shots," said Mowry. "We really struggled to score and never really got on track in the first half."

The Saints started to make their move with eight minutes to go in the game, cutting the PHCC lead to single digits for the first time since the 17 minute mark of the first half.

With six minutes to go, Chris Baez hit a three to bring the saints within six at 63-57. After a turnover and foul with under a minute to go, Marlon Rivera made two free throws to cut the lead to 72-70.

On the ensuing possession, Pasco made one of two free throws giving the Saints a chance to tie, but Renfro's shot went in and out at the buzzer.

"This is the third game in a row that we have really struggled early on and then bounced back to win the second half," Mowry said. "We have to take a look at how we play in the first half and get this figured out."

Chris Baez led Santa Fe in scoring with 21 points. Chuck Ford finished with 14 points and Marlon Rivera had eight points and four assists.

The Saints will take on Tallahassee CC tomorrow at 5:00pm in the second day of the JUCO Shootout.

For complete schedules and more information on Saints Basketball, please visit santafesaints.com. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.
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