Falcons Bounce Back in Bahamas

The Florida College Falcons got the revenge they were seeking on Saturday night. They defeated the University of the Bahamas 83-71.

All five Falcon starters scored double figures. Kent Hegarty led the Falcons in scoring again, pouring in 16 and snagging nine rebounds. Austin Mills had another strong game with 14 points, ten rebounds, and six assists. Zach Brock got back on track after having a rough game shooting the ball the night before. The captain filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Senior Jordan Benjamin had his second double-double in as many games. Benjamin had 14 points and ten rebounds on the night. Jacob Roark chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore Darwin Morales led the bench in minutes played. He provided a spark off the bench for the Falcons with his defense and strong drives to the basket.

The Falcons started out scolding hot offensively. Their defense, which struggled mightily the night before, showed up too. The score at the end of the first quarter was 32-8, Falcons lead.

The beginning of the second quarter was more of the same. The Falcons extended their lead to thirty points when they led 47-17 in the middle of the quarter. However, sloppy play and poor defense saw that lead shrink to fifteen points at halftime, with the score 49-34. The Falcons only scored two points in the last five minutes of the second quarter.

The Falcons weathered the storm in the third quarter with some timely stops and big shots. A three-ball in transition by Jacob Roark was the first basket of the second half that ended the long scoring drought. The Falcons won the quarter and led by 17 entering the fourth.

The Mingoes heated up in the fourth. They attacked the basket with no regard and it was wearing on the Falcons defense. However, the Mingoes never cut the lead below ten, as the Falcons cruised to their first victory of the season.

"It was a really gutsy win by our guys," added head coach Pat Todd. "They came in here after getting beat the night before, in this environment, shorthanded, and came out with the W. Give the Bahamas credit; they made it extremely difficult for us. This is a very tough place to play."

The Falcons (1-1) will have a few days to rest up, as they return to the hardwood Friday, November 3 to take on the Pioneers from Crowley's Ridge College (Ark.) in their home opener, at 9 PM in Conn Gymnasium.