WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team captured their first victory of the season tonight against the Rollins. The Sailfish put together their best performance of the season as they downed the Tars 65-55 to move to 1-3 on the season and 1-0 in Sunshine State Conference play.
The 'Fish came out of the gates shooting lights out from the floor in the first half.
Alisa Marlow opened the game with two three-pointers to put PBA ahead early. From that point on
Kash Ayuso took over the opening quarter. She scored 11 in the first as she went 4-of-5 from the field and hit three three-pointers of her own. Defensively, the Sailfish held the Tars to 25 percent from the floor and forced eight Tars turnovers to lead 22-6 after ten minutes of play.
PBA received a balanced attack in the second quarter as they had five players score in the quarter. Marlow added another two-three pointers and
Jahnae Midget added seven in the quarter as she went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor in the first half. The Sailfish shot an impressive 9-of-17 from three in the first half as they held the Tars to 7-of-21 shooting. PBA's best half of the year saw them take a 42-23 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Tars came out aggressive in the third quarter, looking to cut away at the big deficit.
Maria Benitez-Zayas and
Kash Ayuso kept the Sailfish afloat in the third quarter as they combined for ten points in the quarter. Rollins outscored PBA 22-13 in the third quarter, but the Sailfish kept a comfortable lead throughout the rest of the night as the lead only got below double digits for one possession.
Ayuso finished with a game-high 19 points for PBA as she went 8-of-15 from the floor on the night. Midget was second on the team in scoring as she came off the bench to score 15 points and added six rebounds. Marlow finished with 12 points as she was 4-of-7 from deep. Despite not having her best game from the floor,
Maria Benitez-Zayas finished with nine points, six rebounds, and five assists. While the Sailfish shot their best of the season, especially from behind the arc, it was their defense that forced 24 Rollins turnovers that led to 30 points for PBA.
The Sailfish have a quick turnaround as they stay home and play host to Flagler on Monday night. The Saints are 4-1 on the season, defeating SSC opponents Embry-Riddle and Saint Leo.
