By Lauren Lettelier

The Santa Fe men’s basketball team has been showing progressive improvement after their loss to Indian River; they’ve been winning every game since, including a revenge match against Indian River on Nov. 14th.
But on Nov. 18th, 2009, the Saints found themselves stopped at a red light. The Saints watched as the Brevard Community College Titans took the win on their own turf, 61-59.

When the clock started counting off the seconds in the first half, the Saints displayed incredible enthusiasm on the court. Their defense was forcing the Titans to run out the shot clock, and the offense was penetrating through the Titan’s defense.

The Saints handled the ball effectively in the first quarter, enabling them to get the ball to the player with the best shot. Branimir Mikulic injected some passion into the offense, making two beautiful consecutive three point shots. Chuck Ford, an aggressive playmaker for the Saints, jumped twice his height for a Titan pass and turned it over for the Saints.

After the last home game, Marlon Rivera said that the team needed to work hard and together in order for them to achieve their goals, and the first half of this game looked like Rivera’s wish was coming true.
But the Brevard Titans were not about to give the Saints a free win. The Titan’s strategy focused on completing rebounds, and that they did. At the end of the game, the Titans had 37 total rebounds, compared to the Saint’s 32 total rebounds.

“We had the lead for most of the game and had many opportunities, but we didn’t take them. Brevard capitalized on their rebounds, which enabled them to score. They deserved to win the game tonight because they outplayed us,” Coach Chris Mowry said after the game Wednesday night. “What we need to do this week is work hard in practice and to learn how to finish a game all the way through.”

Coach Mowry has a reason to be disappointed: The Saints lost their spark they had at the beginning and lost a game that they could have won.

Mike Washington, who had 12 points and six rebounds for the Saints, had his best scoring night of the season. Unfortunately, his performance could not give them the win. “I thought we lacked defensive pressure towards the end. We came out strong and had a 12 point lead in the second half, but we gave it up. Brevard out rebounded us tonight and that was what cost us the game,” said Washington.

The Saints are now 5-2. The next home game is Monday, November 30th at 7 p.m.