FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team played its second game in as many days as they faced off with Minnesota Crookston this afternoon. The game was close throughout and regulation time wasn't enough to decide a winner, but the Sailfish ultimately fell in overtime 83-77 to fall to 2-2 on the season.
The offense looked to be clicking for the Sailfish right out of the gates today as they shot 50 percent and scored 22 points in the opening ten minutes of play. It was a balanced attack for the Sailfish as six different players scored in the opening quarter.
Jahnae Midget led the way with six early points, going 3-of-4 from the field.
The hot shooting continued into the second frame as the 'Fish took the lead with a 21-point second quarter. Bouncing back from a down game yesterday,
Claire Davis provided a huge spark off the bench as she scored nine of her team-high 18 points in the second. PBA was outshooting the Golden Eagles 49 percent to 36 percent but Minnesota Crookston had 12 offensive boards in the first half. With the game tied at 40, Davis buried a three right before the half to put the Sailfish ahead 43-40 at the break.
In a game that was single digits throughout and had 17 lead changes, the Golden Eagles regained the lead by outscoring the Sailfish 19-15 in the third quarter. PBA was just 6-of-19 in the quarter as they went into the final ten minutes of play down one point, 61-58.
Each side's offense went away in the final quarter as the defensive intensity ramped up with the game on the line.
Maria Benitez-Zayas and
Kash Ayuso each had five to lead the Sailfish as they scored 13 in the final quarter. PBA trailed by seven with just six minutes remaining but they were able to go on a clutch 8-0 run to take the lead 71-70 after three Ayuso free-throws with 1:45 left.
The Sailfish had two late looks with the game tied. Davis missed a shot inside with 30 seconds remaining and Ayuso lost control of the ball with under five seconds left to force overtime. Neither side made a basket in the final four minutes of the game as the game headed to overtime tied at 71.
The overtime period went the way of the Golden Eagles as they outscored the Sailfish 12-6 in the extra five minutes of play. A 5-0 run put the 'Fish behind and they were unable to recover. Benitez-Zayas hit a jumper to cut the deficit to four with 30 seconds left but Minnesota Crookston hit their free throws late to ice the game as PBA fell.
The second half shooting cost the Sailfish as they fell down to 38 percent for the game after shooting 49 percent in the first half. Four different Sailfish finished in double-figures, led by Davis with 18 while Benitez-Zayas scored 13 and Midget, and Ayuso each had 10.
Mariyah Fletcher was solid inside for the Sailfish with eight points while it was Davis and Ayuso who handled the boards. Davis had 11 to finish with a double-double while Ayuso had seven but the Golden Eagles won the rebounding battle 52-42.
PBA returns home to Rubin Arena for their next game as they host Rollins on Nov. 30 for a Sunshine State Conference showdown. The Tars are 3-3 on the season and split their conference games with the Sailfish last season.
