Gainesville, FL- The Santa Fe men's basketball team (7-6) outlast the Blue Wave of Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) in nail-biting fashion as they win in double overtime at home on Saturday.  With outstanding guard play from Karmello Branch who led the team in scoring with 27 points and Jonathan Renois who also scored big with 20 points, the Saints found a new gear giving their fans a nice Christmas present going into their holiday break.  Predrag Panisic added 11 points, while Ashton Lovette also contributed in double figures (scoring 10).  Tarence Guinyard led all scorers by hitting 30 points on the evening.

How it Happened 

Both teams came out determined to take control early.  As the game went back and forth, it was the Blue Wave who made the first basket of the game.  Renois assisted Macius Trowe for the Saints first basket of the game and then went coast to coast to score shortly thereafter.  The Blue Wave were winning early on the offensive glass allowing for multiple second chance shots.  The Saints soon went on an 8 point run which included a triple from Branch, a 2 pointer from Branch and a triple by Ashton Lovette putting the score at 14-8 (Saints).  Branch continued to provide the spark the Saints needed off the bench with a big shot block and getting fouled at the other end putting the Saints up 19-10 as he made 1 of 2 from the line.  He then made another big play by catching a ball off the rim and slamming it down emphatically.  Renois then stole a pass on defense and passed it Kevin Pazmino as he gets fouled on the shot.  He made both free-throws.  The Blue Wave fought back by forcing steals and making difficult shots to keep the game close.  They also ended the half by hitting two back to back triples thanks to the games leading scorer Tarence Guinard.  By the end of the half, the score was 32-29.

The Saints started the second half off with determination.  Karmello Branch started it out with a triple.  Predrag Panisic follow that shot up with a triple and 2 point basket of his own putting the Saints up 40-29.  The Blue wave stormed back determined not to allow this game to get away from their grasp.  They hit a total of eight triples in the second half determined to give themselves a chance to win at the end of regulation.  The Blue wave finally took the lead late in the second half.  Alex McCray hit a triple from downtown making it appear that they would take the game afterall.  However, Jonathan Renois came up big for the Saints as he stole the ball, was fouled on the shot and hit 2 out of 2 free-throws forcing overtime.

In overtime, Macius Trowe hit a big 3-point shot from the corner giving the Saints a chance to stay in the game, but still down by 3 points.  Coach Mowry quickly called timeout to discuss the winning strategy.  After getting a quick foul forcing the 1 and 1 free throw with only seconds left in the game, the Saints rebound allowing Jonathan Renois to drive to the basket, and makes it while getting fouled on the play.  He subsequently, made his free-throw tying the game with only thirty seconds remaining forcing double overtime with a score of 73-73.

At the start of double overtime, the Saints win the jump ball, but itwas the Blue Wave who struck first with a 2 point field goal by Tarence Guinyard.  Both teams went back and forth, but the Saints were able to impose their will on the Blue Wave by making more big plays than their opponent.  Karmello Branch hit a triple, Macius Trowe made a big rebound giving the Saints control, Johnathan Renois makde a big block on the peremeter after scoring a 2 pointer earlier.  Finally, Ashton Lovette comes up with a big steal deflating the Blue waves chances of victory.  The final score was 82-79.  The Saints men basketball team survived and fantastic effort from another tough opponent.

Comments from Coach Mowry

"Exciting win fot the Saints today!  I'm really proud of our team for finding a way to come out on top!  It was a hard fought game by both teams.  We did a good job at the foul line and got a few critical stops when we needed to.  Karmello had a big game off the bench and Jonathan stepped up down the stretch!  What a great way to head into our Christmas break!  I'm looking forward to our continued improvement when we get back."