After a 4-point loss to Central Florida Community College on Saturday, Santa Fe College was forced to cross off its goal of repeating as Mid-Florida Conference champions.
But the Saints (20-7, 6-3 MFC) left the gym Wednesday having accomplished one of their preseason goals: 20 regular-season victories.
"It was a tough loss on Saturday," SFC coach Chris Mowry said. "And I think we did a great job bouncing back."
SFC defeated St. John's River Community College 79-66 on Wednesday, clinching second place in the conference.
Saints guard Roderick Emanuel made a stellar comeback in the second half with 24 points and was perfect from the free-throw line. Emanuel, who was benched within the first four minutes of the game because of two quick fouls, had no points in the first half.
A flu-plagued Aaron Holmes also was perfect from the line and added 14 points to the Saints' score.
"A lot of people were able to contribute tonight, and that is what we are looking for," Mowry said.
Wednesday's game was the last regular-season home game on SFC's schedule. However, after defeating the Vikings, the Saints will host a game in the MFC Tournament.
The teams ranked third through sixth in the MFC will play Feb. 20, and the winners will play each other Feb. 21. The winner of that game will travel to SFC on Feb. 23 to play the Saints.
The Saints will be matched up against only one team from the tournament, which Mowry thinks is a great advantage because their opponent will have already played two games.
The winner of the MFC will move on to the state tournament with the potential to become state champions, the final goal the Saints set before the season.
"We just have to focus on playing as hard as we can," Mowry said. "I am really proud of the guys' effort, and now we have to win the game on the road Saturday."
SFC will play its final regular-season game at Daytona State College on Saturday at 4 p.m.
