DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Florida Southern (19-7, 11-5 Sunshine State) edged past Embry-Riddle (FL) (11-12, 8-8 Sunshine State) with an 87-82 victory on Saturday at the ICI Center. The Mocs secured the win with a strong second half, outscoring Embry-Riddle by 14 points in the paint.
"Huge win today," said Moccasins head coach
Mike Donnelly. "I am really proud of our team. We were down a of couple starters, but we showed a lot of resilience and toughness and found a way to grind out a big win on the road."
Florida Southern opened the first half assertively, with
Amare Miller scoring a 3-pointer just seconds into the game. The team maintained momentum, capitalizing on turnovers and fast breaks, with Miller consistently finding the basket. The Mocs' defense was effective, forcing nine turnovers from the Eagles, which helped sustain their lead.
Jasir Tremble's scoring, including a key 3-pointer, along with
Elijah Walsh's defensive rebounds, bolstered FSC's advantage. By the half's end, Florida Southern led 40-33, maintaining control and setting a competitive pace for the game.
The Moccasins started the second half with a strong offensive push, highlighted by
Spencer Schomers' early 3-pointer at 19:06, which expanded their lead. Miller's layup at 16:47 maintained momentum, while Walsh and
Khalil Ross contributed key assists and baskets to keep Embry-Riddle at bay.
As the half progressed, Tremble's scoring, including a 3-pointer at 9:48, helped the Mocs counter any advances by ERAU. Despite the Eagles attempts to rally, including a scoring burst led by Jared Berry, Florida Southern's efficient free-throw shooting and defensive rebounds were crucial in preserving their edge.
The game concluded with FSC leading 87–82, maintaining their advantage despite Embry-Riddle's late offensive efforts.
Miller scored 25 points and collected 11 rebounds, leading the team in both categories and his ninth double-double of the season. Tremble added 23 points and recorded five assists, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Walsh posted 10 points and secured seven rebounds while also dishing out four assists.
Looking ahead, the Mocs will host Florida Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. The matchup will take place at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida.
