WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team was back in action for the second time in three days at Rubin Arena and for the second straight game, the Sailfish came away victorious. PBA outlasted Flagler down the stretch in the fourth quarter to capture the 77-70 victory and move their record to 2-3 on the season. 

The Sailfish jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead tonight behind an early five points from Kash Ayuso and a layup from Maria Benitez-Zayas. That was as big as the lead would get for either side as the 'Fish and Saints played out a close contest that would go back and forth throughout the second half. The Sailfish would outscore the Saints 19-17 in the opening quarter, as PBA was 8-of-17 from the floor and Ayuso hit both of the Sailfish threes in the quarter. 

The Sailfish cooled from the field in the second quarter shooting just 5-of-19 and 2-of-11 from three. Eight different players scored for PBA in the opening half. The Saints played inside out for most of the half as they took just nine threes the compared to 19 Sailfish threes. PBA did work on the offensive glass securing seven offensive rebounds but they trailed going into the half 35-32.

The Sailfish got another balanced attack in the third quarter as seven players scored the 17 points for the 'Fish. The Sailfish shot a solid 6-of-13 from the floor in the third, but they were outscored 19-17 as Flagler built on their lead that grew up to five points. Ayuso had cooled off after the third quarter, and PBA needed a go to player to step up in the fourth if they wanted to capture the victory. 

When the Sailfish needed it the most, it was veteran Sia Williams who rose to the occasion. She brought energy into the game off the bench and hit three huge three-pointers and hit a pair of free throws as she scored 11 of her 15 points in the final ten minutes of play. Shekinah Guthrie also provided a spark off the bench as she remains on a minute's limit working her way back early in the season. She was aggressive on the offensive glass, bringing in five and scoring five points. Ayuso led PBA early and helped close out the game with 10 fourth-quarter points and pulled down seven rebounds as she finished with a double-double, 22 points and 12 rebounds. The game was tied at 66 with just under three minutes remaining when the Sailfish trio outscored the Saints 11-4 down the stretch.

The Saints outshot PBA from the floor, 45 percent to 39 percent, but the 'Fish took an extra 14 shots from the floor behind 19 offensive rebounds and forcing 17 turnovers. PBA has looked impressive in their last two home games in their victories over Rollins and Flagler. The Sailfish now have a break before continuing SSC play at Nova Southeastern on Dec. 1. The Sharks are 3-2 and 0-1 in the SSC to start the season.