AUGUSTA, Ga. – With the first true road test of the 2024-25 season, No. 19 Florida Southern traveled to the Christenberry Fieldhouse on the campus of Augusta University and used a strong second half to get past the Jaguars 78-68.
Florida Southern (5-1) was held to its lowest points in a half of the season of just 28 points on 36.67-percent shooting (11-30) from the field. With a halftime adjustment and re-calibrate, the high-scoring Moccasins rallied and dropped 50 points in the second half on 50-percent shooting to hold off Augusta (0-3) who was looking for its first win of the season.
"Great win on the road for us," stated Mike Donnelly, Head Coach of the Moccasins. "It took us a while to find our rhythm, but I was very pleased with how we stayed with it and found a way to grind out a big win."
The Moccasins locked down on defense and held the Jaguars to shoot just 37.93 percent from the field in the second half to stage the rally after trailing 33-28 at the break.
Florida Southern saw five players score in double-digits led by Peyton Gerald who tallied 17 points, ahead of Alex Steen's 15 points, Hugo Mattioli's 12, Dominick Denny's 11, and Amare Miller's 10. Jadin Booth (7) and Joe Moon IV (6) closed the scoring for the Red and White.
The Jags saw a trio of players score in double-figures led by Demitri Gardner and Max Amadasun each with 17 points while Elias Palsson had 12.
Augusta opened the afternoon contest hot with a seven-point advantage (7-0) before pushing it to double-digits with 13:49 to play, 17-6. Florida Southern charged with inside scoring, free throws, and a single three-pointer to cut it to three points with 4:46 to go, 24-21, capped by a pair of Peyton Gerald free throws. The Jags closed the half edging the Mocs in scoring 9-7 for a 33-28 score at the break.
Alex Steen's free throws and a fast break layup by Gerald cut it to just one point, 33-32 before Steen's jumper in the paint handed the Moccasins their first lead of the game with 17:58 to play in the second half, 34-33. After five minutes of back and forth and both teams taking the lead, Florida Southern extended its lead to four points, 47-43, before pushing it to double-digits thanks to a 7-1 run, 54-44, with 9:41 to play.
The Moccasins would get out the largest lead of the game by either team of 13 points, 66-53, with 6:25 remaining and would cruise to the final buzzer despite the Jags clipping the deficit to just seven points in the final 2:45 to play. Florida Southern topped Augusta 5-2 in the final minutes taking home the first road win of the season, 78-68.
No. 19 Florida Southern will return home and host Palm Beach Atlantic in the second Sunshine State Conference game for the Moccasins on November 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Streamline Sale Court inside the George W. Jenkins Field House.
