TAMPA, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball couldn't hold a halftime lead and dropped their second straight to begin the season, falling 80-77 to Spring Hill College on Saturday evening.
The Sailfish had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but a three hit off the iron. PBA was able to cut a five point deficit inside the final seven seconds down to just one point as Tyler Davis converted a four-point play but the Badgers made two free throws in the final seconds to force the final 3-point attempt.
PBA trailed for most of the first quarter before finishing the first ten minutes tied at 16-16. In the second quarter SHC opened an eight point lead before the 'Fish came back to take their first lead on a layup by Ciara Cumbie with 1:25 to go before halftime.
PBA scored 15 of their 39 first half points at the free throw line where they made 15-of-21. Hannah Grim made 8-of-13 in the second quarter alone as she finished with 12 of the team's 23 points in the quarter. Cumbie also finished with 12 first half points with eight coming in the first quarter.
The Badgers opened the second half by scoring eight of the first ten points, taking a four point lead. Despite the Sailfish taking a brief lead in the quarter the Badgers saw their lead hit double digits for the only time in the game.
Grim finished with a team-high 21 points, making 13-of-22 from the free throw line. She also led the team with 11 rebounds and added three assists. Tyler Davis added 17 points, making all nine at the free throw line while Darsan Deshazier made 5-of-11 from the floor to finish with 10 points. Cumbie ended with 14 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.
PBA finished the game shooting 37.1 percent from the floor while the Badgers shot 44.6 percent.
The Sailfish return to action on Wednesday as they open up their home schedule and their conference as they welcome Embry-Riddle to Rubin Arena for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
