BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team kicked off the 2019-20 season today against Benedict College in the SIAC versus SSC Challenge hosted by Lynn University. The Sailfish, under second-year head coach Manisha Redus, fell 93-59 to a strong Benedict team that went 20-7 last season and returned their leading scorer Ay'anna Bey. 

PBA struggled to contain the firepower of the Tiger offense today, giving up over 21 points in each quarter. Benedict forward Ay'anna Bey led the Tigers with a double-double, scoring 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting, and hauling in 15 rebounds. The Sailfish were led by guards Sia Williams and Avree Carpenter. They scored 24 and 21 points respectively while playing all 40 minutes in the game. The Sailfish trailed 49-28 at the half after shooting 21 percent from the field. 

Outside of the two starting guards from the Sailfish, others failed to really get their offensive game going. Forward Claudia Charles was the third leading scorer with eight points off of the bench going 2-of-2 from three. The Sailfish were 7-of-21 from behind the arc on the day and a solid 22-of-26 from the line. The Tigers had four players score in double figures in the game and were able to pull away handing the 'Fish a 93-59 defeat. 

The Sailfish have the opportunity to bounce back quickly as they face Central State tomorrow morning hosted by Lynn at 10 a.m.