Men Sweep Season Series With Santa Fe, Head Into Winter Break With 12-3 Record

Gainesville, FL----The #12 nationally ranked Florida State College at Jacksonville Men's Basketball Team (12-3) defeated Santa Fe College (4-9) on the road Monday night 76-71, completing the season sweep of the Saints. The first victory came on November 20^th in Jacksonville, Florida which saw FSCJ control the game and lead start to finish.  

The return of the home-and-home series in Gainesville, however, was a back-and-forth contest most of the night. FSCJ saw a late first half 10-point lead shrink quickly to four after two defensive miscues, which Santa Fe capitalized on with two 3-pointers. FSCJ led 38-34 at the intermission behind sophomore guard and leading scorer Alex McCray's 11 first half points in front of friends and family in the return to his hometown.

"It's definitely great to be able to play back home and in front of loved ones, especially heading into the holiday break," McCray said after finishing with 16-points, 7-rebounds, and 4-steals. "The most important thing though is we got this win. We lost exactly one year ago to them here in Gainesville heading into our break, and we weren't going to let that happen again."

Santa Fe continued to battle in the 2^nd half, taking the lead 48-46. However, the experience of FSCJ and their dominance on the boards, led to a 16-8 run, and a lead they wouldn't give up again. FSCJ won the rebounding battle 49-32 enroute to the 76-71 victory. Sophomore guard Aiden Fletcher led the offense in the second half, scoring 14 of his 16 total points in the 2nd period. Sophomore guards Chrisean Oree and Jordan Smith each finished with 13, while Smith dominated the boards himself finishing with 16 rebounds—8 offensive.

"It's not easy beating an opponent twice, especially after winning by a large margin the first time," said Head Coach John Putyrski. "We knew playing at their place and the game before the break would be even more challenging. We needed a total team effort, and I continue to be proud of our guys' togetherness and will to win." 

With the series sweep of the Saints, the Manta Rays head into the holiday break with a 12-3 record, marking two wins more than last year's historic 10-3 start that featured a 4-3 record vs NJCAA Division-I opponents. The 2024-25 FSCJ Men's Basketball team now has a 8-2 record vs NJCAA opponents with two more DI opponents coming up after the break before conference play begins. The Manta Rays return to action January 4^th when they host a rematch against the East Georgia State College Bobcats, who they defeated 80-68 to win the East Georgia Classic on December 13th in Swainsboro, Georgia.

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