MIAMI, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball defeated Florida International on Friday evening in Miami, as the Sailfish outscored the Panthers 36-31 in the second half to win 66-63.  The game counts as an exhibition game for the Sailfish and a regular-season game for the Panthers, and the win is the first for the 'Fish against FIU all-time.

The Sailfish hung close with the Panthers in the opening quarter of play, as Sailfish newcomer Jonika Garvin led the way with six points and the 'Fish trailed 16-13 at the end of the first.  Garvin hit two triples and the 'Fish went a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in the opening 10 minutes.

PBA outscored FIU 17-16 in the second quarter to trail by just two at halftime.  Mina Salhia had four points in the second quarter and Ciara Cumbie went into the break with four points and six rebounds. Claudia Charles scored five points during the second quarter of her Sailfish debut.

The Panthers began to pull away after the break, as they opened up a 48-40 lead late in the third quarter.  The Sailfish then finished the quarter on a 9-0 run, capped off by a pair of Salhia made free throws and the 'Fish took a 49-48 lead into the final 10 minutes.

FIU retook the lead early in the fourth quarter but a Charles three pointer allowed the 'Fish to retake the lead with just over six minutes to play. A Taylor Laabs three and a Victoria Self layup extended the Sailfish lead to six with 3:38 to play.  The Panthers cut the Sailfish lead to 65-63 with 14 seconds to play but a Salhia steal with under five seconds to play sealed the victory for the Sailfish.

Garvin led the Sailfish with 17 points, and added four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.  Charles finished with 11 points and Laabs scored 10 on the night.  Cumbie had nine points and pulled down eight boards.  Salhia finished with seven points and a game-high six assists.

The Sailfish will begin their regular season on Saturday, Nov. 17 as they will play host to Benedict at 4 p.m. inside Rubin Arena.