DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team faced another ranked foe at the ICI Center on Wednesday, as the Eagles (11-5, 4-3 SSC) came up just short, falling to No. 16 Palm Beach Atlantic. Despite a spirited first-half performance that saw them take a three-point lead into halftime, ERAU ultimately fell short, losing 88-73. The Eagles showcased commendable effort, especially from key contributors Michael McCalister and Dru Nickson, but the Sailfish's second-half surge proved decisive.

First Half

• Embry-Riddle opened the game with high energy, led by Michael McCalister, who tallied 13 first-half points, grabbing eight rebounds, and asserting his presence in the paint.
• Dru Nickson was dynamic, scoring nine points in the half, including a three-pointer that helped Embry-Riddle build their largest lead of 12 points midway through the period.
• Jerry Bracey contributed on both ends, adding six points and dishing out an assist.
• The Eagles' defense forced seven turnovers, with Yassin Hussein blocking two shots and Clarens Pierre nabbing a steal, fueling fast-break opportunities.
• Embry-Riddle shot 40.5% from the field and out-rebounded Palm Beach Atlantic 24-20, converting second-chance points into a 38-35 halftime lead.

Second Half

• The Eagles struggled to contain Palm Beach Atlantic's efficient offense, which shot 72.4% in the second half.
• Michael McCalister remained a key factor, scoring another 12 points and finishing the game with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds.
• Dru Nickson added 10 second-half points, including two three-pointers, finishing with 19 points overall and three steals.
• Milan Skoric provided a spark off the bench with two three-pointers in the first half, but his production was limited in the second period.
• Embry-Riddle's shooting percentage dipped to 37.9% in the second half as the Sailfish's defense tightened.
• Turnovers and missed opportunities at the free-throw line (61.1% for the game) hampered the Eagles' ability to keep pace.

Inside the Numbers

• Michael McCalister: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block, shooting 45.5% (10-of-22). He became the 36th member of the ERAU 1,000-point club.
• Dru Nickson: 19 points, 3 steals, shooting 41.2% (7-of-17) and 3-of-7 from three-point range.
• Jerry Bracey: 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist in 30 minutes.
• Team shooting: 39.4% from the field, 27.3% from three, and 61.1% at the free-throw line.
• Bench production: 13 points, led by Milan Skoric with six points on two three-pointers.