WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. | Justin Jones scored 26 points and
Zion Williams added 18 more as the Young Harris College men's basketball team overcame an early 14-point deficit and rallied for an 87-82 win over Palm Beach Atlantic University Monday (Nov. 19) evening at Rubin Arena.
The Mountain Lions improved to 1-3 and will now face the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamon Tuesday (Nov. 20) in a 5:30 p.m. contest at Palm Beach Atlantic. The Sailfish fell to 1-3.
Palm Beach Atlantic jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the game's first four minutes; however, the Mountain Lions cut the deficit down to two points (41-39) on an old-fashioned three-point play from Jones to 2:29 left before the half. The Sailfish led 50-44 at the half and extended their lead to eight points (52-44 in the opening stages of the second half.
Young Harris used an 8-0 run to tie the game at 52 after a steal by
Paul Miller led to a Williams' three-pointer with 18:01 to go. However, the Sailfish used a 7-0 run of their own take a seven-point lead (59-52) after a steal and layup by Matthew Johnson with 15:31 left.Â
The Mountain Lions took the lead ay 73-72 on a Williams three-point play with 6:09 to play. Young Harris finished off the 13-2 run with two free throws by Jones to to take a 75-72 lead. Palm Beach Atlantic rallied to reclaim an 82-80 lead on two free throws by De'Ondre Jackson with 73 seconds left.
Seth McCoy connected on all three free throws 33 seconds later to give the Mountain Lions an 83-82 lead.
Young Harris, which went 30-of-34 from the charity stripe, sealed the victory from the free throw line as Jones, who was 9-of-9 from the line, and
Cheick Kone each sank two free throws in the final 16 seconds.
Williams led the Mountain Lions with seven rebounds, while Kone had six. McCoy finished with nine points, while Kone added eight.
Brian Harper led Young Harris with five steals as the Mountain Lions forced Palm Beach Atlantic into 32 turnovers.
Jackson led PBAU with 20 points, seven rebounds and six steals, while Jules Jasmin tallied 15 points.
