WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team returned home following the holiday to host a Sunshine State Conference opponent in the Rollins College Tars. The Sailfish were able to pull out a thriller late 65-59 as they move to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.

The two sides played out a close opening half for the full 20 minutes. The largest lead of the game was just five points as the Sailfish came out of the gates shooting hot from the field. PBA was 62 percent from the floor in the opening quarter as they scored 21 points. Maria Benitez-Zayas played arguably her best half of the season as she opened with six in the first quarter and finished the half with eight points and five assists. Six different 'Fish scored in the opening quarter, but the Tars remained on PBA's heels scoring 18 points while shooting just 30 percent but collecting seven offensive rebounds.

The scoring pace continued into the second quarter with the Sailfish leading by three. Claire Davis led PBA with five points in the second quarter while Jahnae Midget scored four of her six points. The Sailfish were good on the interior offensively but were able to manage just 1-for-10 from three in the opening half of play. Mariyah Fletcher was the catalyst down low as she had seven points and seven boards in the first 20 minutes of play as PBA led 38-36 at the half. 

The scoring quieted down in the third quarter as each side struggled from the field and the free-throw line. Each side was able to muster just ten points each in the third as it was Davis who once again led the way with five in the quarter. The two teams went into the final quarter 48-46 looking for a run to secure the victory.

Both sides continued to struggle for offense early in the fourth quarter, but it was the Tars who tied the game at 56 with just under three minutes remaining. From that point on, the Sailfish would come up clutch, going on a 9-3 scoring run to secure the victory. A huge Jillian Schenk jumper with 52 seconds left, four Kash Ayuso points late, and multiple defensive stands put the game away as PBA won by six.

PBA finished the game shooting 40 percent from the floor (23-57) while holding the Tars to 34 percent. Davis, Benitez-Zayas, and Fletcher all finished in double-figures for the 'Fish Aysuo finished with eight and Ashleigh Boulin had six. Fletcher pulled down 13 boards to complete the double-double and Davis finished with seven boards.

The Sailfish will celebrate the victory before returning to action on Saturday afternoon. The Sailfish will hit the road in the SSC as they face off with Saint Leo. The Lions carry a 6-0 record entering tonight.