MACON, Ga. – Career nights from Nikolaos Noumeros and Nasir Mann helped lead Santa Fe men's basketball to an 85-74 road win at Central Georgia Tech, as the Saints outplayed the Titans in the second half to earn the season's fourth victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Neither offense could be slowed in the opening half, as the sides countered one another with scorching shot-making.

The Titans held their largest lead of the game, 46-35, with about six minutes to play in the frame, but SF concluded the half on an 11-3 run to trail by just three points at the halftime break. Nasir Mann found his mark on a tough, step-back three-pointer in the final seconds…

Central Georgia Tech sunk 11 triples in the game's first 20 minutes, while SF had made eight of its own.

The Saints took a lead early in the second half, with Mann spearheading the offense.

SF led 53-52 when the Titans rattled off 11 straight points, finding the bottom of the net for three more triples to seize a 63-53 advantage.

The Titans' lead dwindled quickly, however, and Santa Fe started to take control on both ends of the floor.

A four-point play from Nigel Martin as the clock approached five and a half minutes remaining put SF back in front, and the bucket proved to be the start of a 13-0 SF run.  

The Titans were kept scoreless for over four minutes of play, while four different Saints scored to give SF the 80-69 lead in the final minutes.

Central Georgia Tech brought their deficit to six points with a little over a minute remaining, but a bucket from Noumeros and two free-throws helped SF seal the deal, in turn snapping a three-game skid.

UPDATED RECORDS

Santa Fe – 4-3

Central Georgia Tech – 4-3

STATISTICS

SF won the rebounding battle, 47-34, and held Central Georgia Tech to just 25 points in the second half.

Mann had career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (15), while Noumeros had 16 points, a career-high 17 rebounds, and a career-high four blocks. Both players were extremely efficient from the field on their way to the impressive performances, with Mann finishing 4-of-5 from three-point territory.

Jalen Speer had 19 points and six assists for the Saints' cause, as he converted four long balls himself.

Kordell Brown was the fourth Saint to reach double-digit scoring, putting in 12 points.

UP NEXT

Santa Fe (4-3) will be at Florida Gateway on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7:00 p.m.