By Nathan Deen
Published on November 21, 2007
The PJC men’s basketball team lost the first game of the Florida Shootout 85-70 to Central Florida Community College, who is ranked No. 4 in the state.
PJC head coach Paul Swanson said that his team had a difficult time defending the perimeter as Central Florida shot 12/23 from the 3-point line. On the offensive end, the Pirates shot just 3-18 from the 3-point line.
PJC (8-5) was down by 15 in the first half and made a late attempt at a comeback. The Pirates were able to cut the lead to seven, but time became a factor as they were forced to foul late in the game and Central Florida converted on the free throws.
PJC forward Petras Balocka had his best game to an already outstanding season. Balocka finished with 23 points and 17 rebounds, both career highs. Forward Miles Taylor and guards Jerome Burgos and Lasha Parghalava each had 8 points.
After a long trip with little time to practice, Swanson hopes his team is prepared mentally for tomorrow’s game against St. Petersburg (4-8), which will be played at 3:00 p.m. EST.