#18 Mocs Fall to #3 Chargers in NCAA South Region Semifinal

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – No. 18 Florida Southern College men's basketball fell to No. 3 the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) 97-86 in the NCAA Division II South Region tournament semifinal at Rick Case Arena Sunday night.
 
"Disappointed that we didn't play our best today," head coach Mike Donnelly commented. "But credit to Alabama Huntsville for playing a terrific game. We missed a lot of shots that we normally make and just couldn't find our rhythm today at either end of the floor."
 
Donnelly added, "Despite the loss, we have a lot to be proud of. It's difficult to process everything right now, but I am looking forward to celebrating our team's success and achievements."
 
The Moccasins close the 2024-25 season with a 26-9 record, the fifth 20-plus-win season under 10-year head coach Mike Donnelly and second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. Graduate Dominick Denny led Florida Southern, tying his season-high of 24 points. Senior Peyton Gerald finished strong and tallied 21 points in 29 minutes of work. Denny added five assists while Gerald tallied seven boards, two steals, and two blocks.
 
Graduate student Jadin Booth added 15 points while junior Alex Steen finished with nine points and 16 rebounds in 22 minutes. Steen hauled in seven offensive rebounds and tacked on nine defensive rebounds.
 
No. 3 Alabama Huntsville (32-1) pushed on for its 32^nd straight win behind Blake Campbell's game-high 26 points while Luke Burnett and Tommy Murr each tallied 21 points in the win. Daniel Saylor chipped in 16 points in 27 minutes.
 
Despite trailing 46-32 at the half, the Mocs outscored the Chargers 54-51 in the second half, falling 97-86. UAH opened the game in front with a free throw and pushed out to a seven-point lead through the first four minutes of the game, 13-6. Florida Southern rallied and got within a one possession game until UAH pushed it to 10 points, 24-14, with 8:42 and to 15 points with 3:43 to go, 39-24. The Mocs cut it to 11 but the Chargers closed the half with three points for a 14-point advantage.
 
UAH continued to push the gap and eventually got out to a 19-point lead, 67-48, with 11:53 to go. Peyton Gerald started heading downhill and helped pull the Moccasins to within 10, 88-78, with under three minutes remaining. Amare Miller pulled down an offensive rebound and laid it in for the game's final bucket, 97-86.
 
No. 18 Florida Southern moved its program overall record to 1,563 wins and 886 losses. Head Coach Mike Donnelly wrapped up his 10^th year guiding the Mocs with an 187-105 overall record and moves his 22-year coaching record to 382-257.