RATLIFFE LEADS CFCC TO WIN OVER SANTA FE, 84-68

February 13, 2010

February 13, 2010
Contact: Scott Jamison
352-395-5616
scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF MEN'S BASKETBALL

RATLIFFE LEADS CFCC TO WIN OVER SANTA FE, 84-68

Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe Saints (15-11, 3-4 MFC) had no answer for Central Florida All-American Ricardo Ratliffe, who scored 29 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in a win over the Santa Fe Saints on Saturday evening. 

“This was a rough game for us today,” said Coach Chris Mowry.  “CF played a lot more physical and really hurt us on the offensive glass.  Ratliffe is a very talented player who can score inside and out and also rebounds very well.”

The score went back and forth for the first five minutes before CFCC was able to establish a six point lead with 13 minutes to go and built a 14 point lead after a 14-5 run late in the half.

Santa Fe hung tough and cut the margin to 37-29 at the half on the strength of Branimir Mikulic and Chuck Ford three point shots.

“We defended fairly well in the first half but we gave up 11 offensive rebounds and a lot of those resulted in free throw situations that they converted,” said Mowry.

Central Florida came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders after halftime, pushing the lead to 52-36 with 12 minutes to go.

“We came out of the break and tried to mix some things up with our defense and we tried to press a little bit,” said Mowry.  “They were able to get some transition baskets that ended up hurting us.”

Ratliffe and CF continued to pull away and pushed the lead 24 with four minutes to go.  Chris Clay and Mikulic combined to make three three point shots in the final three minutes to make the final score 84-68.

Chris Baez and Chuck Ford led SF in scoring with 11 each and Marlon Rivera and Branimir Mikulic finished with ten apiece.  The Saints shot only 35.8% (24-for-67) from the field and 8-for-33 from the three point line.

“We are struggling to make shots right now,” said Mowry.  “If we aren't shooting well, we have to be willing to work harder rebounding offensively and getting back on defense.”

The Saints wrap up the regular season at home next Wednesday, February 17 against Florida State College-Jacksonville at 8:00pm.

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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