Stinnett Picks Up First Win in 83-80 Victory Over UPR Bayamon
Jonathan Jackson (Photo by Ron Besser)Jackson Wins Game With Buzzer Beater
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Senior guard Jonathan Jackson (Pensacola, Fla./Johnson County CC) hit a last second three-pointer to lead the West Florida men’s basketball team to an 83-80 victory over Puerto Rico-Bayamon at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center on Friday, marking the first win for Head Coach Bob Stinnett in his first season at the helm. Jackson scored 20 to lead the Argonauts (1-1), including a 4-5 performance from three-point territory.
Jackson was 6-10 from the field and 4-5 from the free throw line to complete his well-rounded shooting night. Fellow senior Maurice Thomas (Milton, Fla./Pensacola JC) played all 40 minutes and scored 17 points, and he added a team high eight rebounds and five assists as well. Two other Argos scored in double digits, including senior forward Max Hoggard (Micanopy, Fla./P.K. Yonge HS) with 15 and freshman forward Peter Connole (Orlando, Fla./Pine Castle Christian Academy) with 12 points off the bench.
UWF took an early six point lead at the 15:38 mark in the first half on a three-pointer by Thomas, but Bayamon fought back with consecutive three-pointers to tie the score 13-13. The Argonauts got hot again, this time going up by 10 at 32-22 on a fast break layup by Hoggard, but Bayamon once again climbed back into the game to take a two-point lead at 43-41 entering halftime.
The game remained close through the second half, but after Bayamon took a 57-56 lead the Argonauts went on an 11-2 run to take a 67-59 lead at 10:43. UWF held that lead until the 3:47 mark when a Melvin Rivera three-pointer tied the game at 73. The play went back-and-forth again over the remaining minutes, as Bayamon’s Angel Rosario scored a bucket with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 80. The Argos played for one final possession, and Thomas found Jackson open for the three-pointer with four seconds left and he drained it to clinch the win.
West Florida had a solid night from the field, shooting 50.9 percent (29-57). UPR Bayamon shot 30-58 (51.7 percent) and was aggressive from long range, attempting 24 three-pointers and connecting on 10 (41.7 percent). UWF held a big advantage down low, outrebounding the opponents 37-24. The Argos also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds leading to 27 second chance points.
Rivera scored a game high 24 points for UPR Bayamon thanks to five three-pointers, and he was joined in double digits by Javier Ayuso at 15 and Michael Gonzalez at 14. Juan Santiago added 16 points off the bench.
UWF will head to St. Augustine, Fla. on Saturday to face Peach Belt Conference opponent Flagler on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For information on all UWF Athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.
