FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team hit the road to take on the Nova Southeastern University Sharks tonight. After falling big to the Sharks at home earlier this season, the two sides played a close game throughout where the Sailfish had their chances late before ultimately falling 72-66. The loss moves the Sailfish record to 9-11 overall and 5-9 in Sunshine State Conference play.

The Sailfish showed up to the gym ready to play tonight as they jumped out to a quick lead in the opening quarter. They were up 12-7 after five minutes of play, led by Mariyah Fletcher and Darria Whitley who was inserted into the starting lineup for the 'Fish. They each had five points in the opening five points of play, but the Sailfish would go cold to close out the quarter. PBA didn't hit another field goal for the remainder of the quarter but they got a pair of Maria Benitez-Zayas free throws to end a 10-0 Sharks run. PBA was down to the home side 17-14 heading to the second quarter.

The 'Fish got their offense going again as they shot 57 percent from the floor in the second quarter. Whitley added another six points in the quarter and Kash Ayuso chipped in with six as well. After giving up 97 points in the team's first meetings this year, the Sailfish defense was solid to hold the Sharks to 31 points and just two threes in the first half. The solid performance by PBA put them up 33-31 at the half.

Each side recorded seven field goals in the third quarter but the difference in the quarter and the game was NSU trips to the free throw line. The Sharks converted on 9-of-14 shots from the stripe and were plus 13 from the line in the game. Claire Davis came alive with five points in the quarter but the Sailfish were outscored 24-18 in the third as the Sharks regained the lead.

Neither side was able to create a lead larger than seven on the night as the game could have gone either way down the stretch. The Sailfish had the game tied multiple times in the fourth and looked like they had the momentum after Maria Benitez-Zayas knocked down a three as the shot clock expired to tie the 63 with 4:30 remaining. The Sailfish had some good looks down the stretch but were unable to get them to fall as they were outscored 9-3 to close out the game.  

PBA guards led the way as Ayuso scored a game-high 16 points on 7-of-16 from the floor while Whitley finished with 13 before fouling out with just over two minutes remaining. Fletcher finished in double-figures for the 'Fish as she scored 11 points and pulled down nine boards. PBA outshot the Sharks 43 percent to 41 percent but the free throw line and losing the turnover battle 21-14 cost PBA in the end.

The Sailfish will look to get back on track when they host Tampa on Saturday. PBA will look to complete the sweep over the No. 3 ranked team in the country as the Sailfish took them down 79-76 earlier this year.