WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team returned home tonight for its home opener against St. Thomas University. The Sailfish were able to pick up their first win of the year with a 76-69 victory and take their record to 1-2 on the early season.

The Sailfish played their best game of the season tonight against a 2-0 St. Thomas team. PBA led after each quarter of the game where they shot a season-high 44 percent from the field. Avree Carpenter led the way once again with a career-high 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting. Every time the Bobcats made a run, Carpenter was there to make a big shot and keep the Sailfish ahead. She now leads the SSC in points and is tied in points per game with 23. 

PBA came out of the gates at home strong outscoring St. Thomas 17-13 in the first quarter. PBA was able to limit turnovers better than they had in their previous two games with a season-low 15 tonight. PBA held the Bobcats to 37 percent shooting from the floor but St. Thomas was able to hang around by making 11 threes and bringing in 16 offensive rebounds. Guard Victoria Self and forward Ciara Cumbie were the presence on the glass for PBA with eleven and nine rebounds respectively. The Sailfish led 36-31 at the half with Carpenter scoring half of the 36 points at the break. 

Guard Sia Williams came to life in the second half where she scored 14 of her 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. PBA led for 37 of the 40 minutes in the game and had the biggest lead of the game at 14 points. The two guards Williams and Carpenter led the 'Fish in scoring for the second time this year and were the only players to reach double figures for PBA. 

St. Thomas was led by Anari Dozier who scored 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds. The Bobcats put on the pressure late but PBA was able to take care of the ball and knock down its free throws, 13-of-14 for the game, to secure their first win of the season. 

Up next, the Sailfish will travel to South Carolina to face a Benedict team who defeated the 'Fish 93-59 earlier this season and then play at Virginia Union on Nov. 15-16.