COLUMBIA, S.C. -  The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team faced a ranked Benedict College team for the second time early in the season tonight. The Sailfish lost their first game of the season in Boca Raton against Benedict 93-59 and fell tonight in Columbia by a score of 81-44. 

PBA was hoping for improvement against the Tigers after their last meeting and coming off a home victory against St. Thomas, and it looked like things would be different in the first quarter as the two teams were tied 14-14. The Sailfish took better care of the ball in the first quarter and protected their defensive backboard but struggled to shoot from the field. Unfortunately, that trend continued into the second quarter as they were only able to score six points. The 'Fish were led by guard Sia Williams who scored ten points on 3-of-8 shooting in the first half. The Sailfish were held to 20 percent shooting in the first half while the Tigers scored 18 points in the second quarter to take a 32-20 lead into the half.

The Sailfish were still within striking distance coming out of the half but Benedict began the third quarter hot from behind the arc. The Tigers made five of their eleven threes in the quarter, going 11-for-32 in the game while PBA struggling going 5-for-26 from three. The Sailfish offensive slump continued from the second into the third quarter where they were held to eight points. Benedict was once again led by Ay'Anna Bey who was one of five Tigers in double figures scoring 21 points. Sia Williams was the leading scorer for PBA as she shot 5-of-13 from the field scoring 18 points. Guard Avree Carpenter and Victoria Self struggled from the floor going with each 2-of-11 and no other player was able to crack double digits for the 'Fish. 

The Sailfish have a quick turnaround as they will travel north to take on Virginia Union tomorrow afternoon. The Virginia Union Panthers are 1-1 on the season after entering the season No. 5 in the preseason rankings.