LAKELAND, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team faced off against Florida Southern for the second time this season this afternoon. After falling to the Moccasins at home earlier in the year, the Sailfish played close throughout today's game but their game-winning shot in the final seconds was off the mark as they fell 55-54. 

Both sides played the first two quarters at a methodical pace where each side's defense had the edge over the other team's offense. The Mocs jumped out to a 13-9 lead after the first quarter as the Sailfish were just 3-10 from the floor. The Mocs were able to take seven more shots than PBA in the opening quarter as the 'Fish were plagued by turnovers in the first half. Fortunately the Sailfish defensive energy limited FSC to just 27 percent shooting and 3-of-17 from three in the first half. 

The Mocs gained the biggest lead of the game at eight points with five minutes remaining in the second quarter, but the Sailfish were able to go on an 8-0 run to tie the game. The Sailfish had a balanced offensive attack in the first half as eight different players scored led by Alisa Marlow and Maria Benitez-Zayas who each had five points. The Mocs got 33 shots from the field to just 21 from PBA as the Sailfish committed 12 first-half turnovers. Despite that differential, the Sailfish went into the half trailing by one, 23-22, after FSC's Maddy Morales hit a three at the halftime buzzer. 

As the second half unfolded, the game went back and forth as the lead exchanged hands nine times in the final two quarters. The Mocs outscored the Sailfish 16-11 in the quarter behind their best shooting stretch of the game going 6-for-12 in the third quarter. The Sailfish were just 5-of-13 in the quarter and struggled shooting from deep going 1-of-6 from three. Despite that shooting, they were still within striking distance down just six heading into the final 10 minutes.

With the game in the balance, PBA had their best offensive quarter of the game. The 'Fish shot 50 percent from the field behind seven points from Shekinah Guthrie and six from Avree Carpenter. The Sailfish tied the game with seven minutes remaining and the lead never grew bigger than one possession for either side the rest of the way. Kennedi Rodgers came off the bench to hit two huge three-pointers in the final five minutes to keep PBA in the game as the Mocs were living at the line in the fourth quarter going 10-of-13. After Guthrie split a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left, the Sailfish led by two and needed just one more stop to secure the game. Unfortunately, FSC's Marta Aranda beat her defender off the dribble with seven seconds left and made her driving layup and was fouled to complete the three-point play with seven seconds remaining to take a 55-54 lead. Coach Manisha Redus called a timeout to advance the ball and draw up a game-winning opportunity for the 'Fish. PBA got the ball to Guthrie, who had been their best player in the quarter, in the mid-post but her turnaround jump shot didn't go as time expired. 

Avree Carpenter was the leading scorer for PBA with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting while Guthrie, Sia Williams, and Benitez-Zayas chipped in with nine, eight, and seven points respectively. On her senior night, FSC's Aranda led the way scoring a game-high 17 points. The Sailfish outshot the Moccasins from three and from the floor, but their 18 turnovers ultimately were too costly to overcome.

The Sailfish will return home to face Barry on March 10 for their final game of the regular season. PBA defeated the Bucs 53-51 in their previous meeting at the Rubin this year.