WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball picked up a win in their home opener on Monday, defeating No. 23 ranked Valdosta State 57-51 inside Rubin Arena.  The Sailfish improve to 1-1 on the season with the win.

PBA and Valdosta State both got off to slow starts offensively, as the teams combined for just six field goals and 17 points in the opening quarter of play.  The 'Fish led 9-8 at the end of the first quarter.

The Sailfish exploded offensively in the second 10 minutes, as they outscored the Blazers 20-8 and opened up a 29-16 halftime lead.  Victoria Self knocked down a couple of three pointers in the second quarter and led the Sailfish with eight points in the opening half.  Claudia Charles was held scoreless in the first half but led the 'Fish with seven rebounds. PBA held Valdosta State to just 19 percent shooting (6-for-32) in the half.

The Blazers made a nice run of their own as they cut the Sailfish lead to five at the end of the third period.  Valdosta State tied the match at 44 midway through the fourth quarter and took a 49-48 lead with under four minutes to play.  Aniyah Ross then hit a layup to put the Sailfish back on top, and Jonika Garvin took the game over from there, scoring the final seven points for the Sailfish which included a huge three-pointer with 30 seconds left to put the Sailfish up four.

Garvin finished with a game-high 19 points and added six rebounds.  Ross scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds on the day.  Self finished with nine points off the bench for the Sailfish, who limited the Blazers to just 28 percent shooting on the night. Darsan DeShazier led the Sailfish with four assists against VSU.

The Sailfish will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at home as they will host No. 18 Virginia Union at 4:30 p.m.