LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time in school history, Barry University men’s basketball team knocked off the No. 1-ranked team in the country, beating Florida Southern on the road, 107-102, Saturday night.
“It’s an awfully, big quality win,” said Barry second-year coach Butch Estes, who collected the first win over a top-ranked opponent in his 32-year career.
“I’m excited for the players as a reward for all their hard work and dedication. However, in the big picture, it’s just one of 16 conference games. I hope the guys will use it as motivation to continue to work hard, stay focused and stay grounded as we move on through the regular season.”
It marked the first time Florida Southern scored 100 or more points and lost in its storied history.
Juan Ferrales hit a driving basket with 1:07 remaining to give the Buccaneers (9-1, 2-0 Sunshine State Conference) a five-point lead. Florida Southern answered seven seconds later when Stephen Battle canned a 3-pointer to cut the Bucs lead to 104-102.
After a Bucs turnover, Florida Southern (11-1, 0-1) couldn’t convert with 21 seconds remaining. Barry’s Anders Haas sank one of two free throws to extend the lead back to three with 14 seconds to go. On Florida Southern’s rush up the floor, Barry guard Deric Hill came up with a steal from behind, and Haas scored to put the finishing touches on a game that witnessed nine ties and nine lead changes.
“The resilience in a hostile environment is a positive thing for us to build on,” Estes said. “I think also we are the beneficiaries of an experienced basketball team, particularly in the backcourt with Deric Hill, Juan Ferrales and Anders Haas.”
Hill had 15 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and three steals. Ferrales scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, and grabbed five boards. Haas had 18 points, going 7 of 12 from the floor.
Barry's Yunio Barrueta, a Sporting News preseason Honorable Mention All-American, had 26 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting 10 of 17 from the field. Arie Williams canned three triples to finish with nine points and three assists in 11 minutes.
Battle had 29 points on 10 of 16 shooting, Capers finished with 22 points, and Dylan Travis had 21 or the Mocs, who erased two nine-point second half leads by the Buccaneers.
Barry had a season-high 29 assists, which led to 53.9 percent field goal shooting. Hill’s 12 assists were also a season-best.
“I thought he played an outstanding floor game,” Estes said of his senior point guard. “Having him in the game and staying out of foul trouble in a foul-played game was really a key. I don’t think we would’ve won the game without him.”
Barry and Florida Southern were whistled for a combined 48 fouls. The Moccasins went 21 of 31 from the free throw line. The Bucs sank 15 of 23.
Ferrales, known for his outside shooting prowess, flashed a different dimension to his game as he drove into the paint for four of his five buckets – none of which was bigger than his basket at the 1:07 mark.
“Huge,” Estes said. “I think we took a chapter out of their book. I think he was wise to drive the basketball, and not take an outside shot.”
Florida Southern shot 34 of 80 from the floor for 42.5 percent. The Mocs were 13 of 34 from 3-point range.
“We switched to zone, and they made the first shot, but after that they missed a couple, and we were able to get out in transition and hit some shots,” Estes said.
Barry’s power forwards, Tray Leonard and Jevoni Robinson, combined for 16 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. Leonard was 6 of 8 from the field, finishing with 12 points.
“Tray and Jevoni brought us an inside presence that was critical down the stretch, especially on the defensive end of the floor,” Estes said.
The win was just the fourth in school history at Florida Southern, which entered the game with a 46-15 advantage in the series. And while it was big because wins in Lakeland have come few and far between, the Bucs realize it’s just one in a long season left to be played.
“From that perspective, we have to rely on our senior leaders to lead this team as we prepare for future opponents,” Estes said. “The thing I like is we’ve been really consistent. I’m proud of our consistency.”