Serpentine Success: Moccasins Coil Around Eagles for SSC Win

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College men's basketball picked up where they left off Wednesday with an 89-63 win over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Saturday night at Streamline Sale Court inside the George W. Jenkins Field House, to move to 2-0 in Sunshine State Conference play.

"I thought we played really well tonight, and it all started for us at the defensive end," Head Coach Mike Donnelly stated. "Embry-Riddle is a dynamic offensive team who came into the game averaging almost 90 points a game and shooting over 50% from the floor, and I thought we did a great job disrupting their rhythm, killing their space, and protecting the rim by challenging shots in the paint area. Proud of our guys."
 
Florida Southern (6-3, 2-0 Sunshine State Conference) saw five players score double-figures led by Luke Anderson with a game-high 22 points. Alex Steen closed his sixth double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, 10 on the defensive side. Steen also added three blocks and a steal to his stat line.
 
Erickson Bans (13), Joe Moon IV (12), and Akol Arop (11) all closed out double-figures while Donovan Smith (6), Trey Jones (5), Dominick Denny (4), and Wes Bongiorni (1) scored in the win. Arop capped his third double-double of the year with 10 rebounds in the contest. 
 
Embry-Riddle (5-2, 0-1 Sunshine State Conference) saw Cameron Shockley-Okeke lead the scoring for the Eagles with 15 points while Michael McCalister (12) and Malcolm Whitlow (11) joined in double-figures.
 
The Florida Southern Moccasins dominated the first half, establishing a commanding lead with a score of 45-29. Erickson Bans led the charge for Florida Southern, showcasing his scoring prowess with 13 halftime points, Akol Arop added 11 to the halftime lead. The Moccasins' efficient shooting, particularly from beyond the arc (8-for-16), contributed to their halftime advantage.
 
Conversely, the Embry-Riddle Eagles faced challenges in finding their offensive rhythm, shooting at 29.41% from the field in the first half. Despite the efforts of Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Michael McCalister, who contributed 15 and 12 points respectively, the Eagles trailed at the half.
 
Florida Southern coasted in the second half jumping out to a 37-point lead with 12:26 to play.
 
Florida Southern maintained its momentum in the second including a 37-point lead with 12:26 to play, before pushing ahead for the 89-63 victory.
 
The Mocs finished the game shooting 44.1 percent (30-68) from the field including 41.4 percent (12-29) from beyond the arc. Florida Southern finished with a. 73.9-percent field throw percentage (17-23) while the two teams tied the rebounding battle, 46-46.
 
Up Next:
Florida Southern (6-3, 2-0 Sunshine State Conference) continues their Sunshine State Conference campaign with confidence heading into St. Petersburg, Fla. on Dec. 9 to face Eckerd at 5:00 p.m.
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