GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just as in the other two matchups with Eastern Florida State College, Wednesday's clash with the Titans for Santa Fe College men's basketball came down to a few key plays, none bigger than a game-winning floater from Jalen Speer in the final seconds in an 81-79 Saints victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Santa Fe jumped out to a 15-5 lead with 12:33 on the clock, forcing a timeout from the Titans. Nikolaos Noumeros had six quick points…

The Titans were able to quickly work their way back into it, and regained a 23-21 lead with about five minutes left in the half.

The first half had seven ties as the two sides traded exchanges, but SH had the first half's final say with a 9-2 run to take a 36-31 lead into the locker room. Cole Deptula sunk a triple after a loose ball scramble for the half's final basket.

The second half continued to produce plenty of entertainment, with either side never gaining a lead larger than five points.

The game was tied for the 20th time at 79-79, after Andres Burney drove the lane and flushed home a dunk with just 12 seconds left.

The stage was set for Speer, who took the ball up the court and worked his way into the paint to toss in the tough left-handed floater and give the Saints an 81-79 lead.

Two seconds were remaining on the clock, and after a timeout on the floor, all Eastern Florida could get was a full court heave that never was close…

KEY STATISTICS

SF was forced into just eight turnovers, as the Saints took good care of the basketball.

The Titans held a substantial advantage in the rebounding category in the first matchup in Gainesville, but SF held its own in this one. EFSC grabbed just one more rebound, 40-39.

Although the Titans shot the ball more efficiently from the field, SF went 16-of-17 from the free-throw line compared to a 2-of-6 performance from the stripe for the Titans.

Burney led the way for EFSC with a 35-point, 17 rebound outing from the interior.

SF was led by 19 points and nine rebounds from Noumeros, 18 points and ten assists from Speer, 17 points from Nasir Mann, and 11 points and 11 rebounds from Kordell Brown.

UP NEXT

The Saints (15-11, 7-5 Central) head to St. Petersburg on Saturday, Feb. 18 for a 4:00 p.m. game. There are just three Central Conference games left on the schedule, as the Saints try to finish well to move their way into a potential berth in the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 State Tournament.