LAKELAND, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team continued its SSC slate on Saturday evening against Florida Southern.

The Sailfish started strong, but the Mocs did not roll over for PBA (2-5, 1-2 SSC). After the 'Fish held a lead at the end of the first quarter, FSC (3-4, 2-1 SSC) outscored PBA 52-17 combined in the second and third quarters. The Sailfish outscored the hosts in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as PBA fell to the Mocs 89-67.

Shekinah Guthrie led PBA with a double-double consisting of a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. The senior was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and an impressive 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Kash Ayuso added 12 points with five rebounds and three assists. Maria Benitez-Zayas totaled 10 points with four rebounds and two triples. Chelsea Aalim recorded nine points with a pair of boards while Alisa Marlow added eight points off the bench.

The Sailfish shot the ball well to start the contest. PBA shot 66 percent from the field in the first quarter allowing it to hold a lead for the majority of the period. A 3-pointer from Benitez-Zayas capped off a 6-0 run to give PBA a 13-8 lead midway through the first. FSC prevented the PBA lead from getting out of hand as the Mocs answered with an 8-1 run to take a 16-14 lead. The Sailfish finished the quarter well with a layup from Mariyah Fletcher and a bucket from Marlow giving PBA a 20-18 advantage at the end of the first.

PBA did not carry its hot shooting into the second quarter, meanwhile, the hosts had their best shooting period of the day. FSC shot 80 percent from the field in the second quarter allowing the Mocs to take a 43-33 lead at the halftime break.

The Sailfish made a push to start the second half. A layup from Benitez-Zayas made free throws from Ayuso and Guthrie, and another 3-pointer from Benitez-Zayas cut the FSC lead to four three minutes into the second half. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, FSC responded by finishing the quarter on a 24-5 run giving the Mocs a 70-47 lead. 

PBA continued to fight hard in the final period. The Sailfish shot 46 percent in the final period and outscored the Mocs 20-19; however, FSC shut down any thought of a comeback, winning 89-67.

Although the Sailfish struggled with shooting at times, PBA excelled at getting to the free-throw line and converting from the charity stripe. PBA went to the foul line 38 times in the game, shooting 76 percent as a team. 

PBA travels to Fort Myers, Fla. for an exhibition game against Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday. The game against FGCU starts at 7 p.m.