Smith's Last Second Three Lifts Falcons Over Redhawks

PULASKI, Tenn. - The Florida College Falcons got a much needed win on Saturday afternoon, 85-82 over the Martin Methodist College Redhawks,

The game started with MMC taking a 10-5 early lead. The Falcons rallied and executed the rest of the first half, taking a 43-35 lead into the half. The lead could have been much larger, but the Falcons gave up an astounding 10 offensive rebounds to the Redhawks in just one half.

The Falcons came out firing in the second half, taking a 14-point lead after a Matt Simpson breakaway steal and layup. That lead evaporated quickly, with the Redhawks tying the game seven-minutes later.

With 2:31 remaining the Falcons had not only seen their lead be cut into, but they trailed by 4 points on the road. Jalon Perry knocked in a midrange jumper to pull them within two. After a stop on the other end, Perry dished a transition three to Ethan Smith, who drilled it to take the 1-point lead with 1:33 remaining.

MMC would come down and get a traditional three-point play by freshman Adarion Hudson. FC trailed 82-80 with 1:03 remaining.

Perry would drive and draw contact. The junior stepped to the foul line and sank two clutch free throws to tie the game.

The Redhawks committed an offensive foul, drawn by Perry with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

FC had last possession, tied 82-82. They put the ball in a familiar face's hands. Sophomore guard Matt Simpson dribbled near the bench as the clock drained down. At around seven seconds remaining he moved towards the top of the key to use a ball screen. Martin trapped the ball screen, understandably so, to get the ball out of Simpson's hands with just a few seconds left. Simpson made the right play, passing out of the trap to a filling Ethan Smith with 3 seconds left. Smith gathered the ball and let it fly from 30-feet out... BANG! FC took the three-point lead with 1.3 seconds remaining. After a timeout and a 70-foot heave, the Falcons emerged victorious!

FC was led in scoring by Simpson with 28 points and 6 rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting. Ethan Smith poured in 20-points including the game-winning bucket. Jalon Perry added 13 huge points off the bench for the Falcons to round out the double figure scorers.

"Fantastic win for our team today," said head coach Pat Todd. "We came into a tough environment and got a much-needed win. Credit goes to Coach Lyne and Martin Methodist, they are a tough and well-coached team that plays the right way."

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates," said sophomore guard Ethan Smith. "Coaches drew up a good play call, Matt made a great pass and I just trusted myself to hit the shot. I had just hit one earlier on a great pass from Jalon so I was feeling good."

The win puts the Falcons in a three-way tie for 9th in the SSAC, with only the top 10 making the conference tournament.

FC is tied at 5-11 in conference with Mobile and Blue Mountain, with the former coming to town this Saturday for a monumental game.

Be sure to come out and support the Falcons this week in their final two home games of the season. Thursday night is homecoming against Stillman and Saturday is Senior Day against Mobile.