WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team played host to cross-town rivals Lynn tonight at Rubin Arena. The Sailfish fell behind early before storming out of the gates in the second half to capture the lead but ultimately fell late 78-72. The Sailfish record drops to 10-14 overall and 6-12 in Sunshine State Conference play.

Both sides' offenses came out of the gate ticking as each side shot over 50 percent from the floor and scored over 20 points in the opening quarter of action. Six different Sailfish players scored a basket in the first, led by Mariyah Fletcher who had six early points. The 'Fish struggled to stop the Fighting Knights off ball movement as Lynn assisted on all nine made baskets in the first quarter, but the Sailfish held a 21-20 lead.

Lynn built a lead in the second quarter by hitting 10-of-11 shots in the quarter. The Sailfish were solid in their own right at 46 percent but couldn't keep up with the Knight's pace in the quarter. Six Sailfish scored again in the second for PBA as a balanced attack led to all five starters to finish in double-figures. The 'Fish trailed 43-36 as the two sides went into the half.

The Sailfish came out of the locker room running as they created turnovers and got easy fast-break buckets. Darria Whitley led the way with six points in the quarter as it looked like PBA had all of the momentum heading to the fourth quarter after outscoring the Fighting Knights 20-8 in the third.

The game went down to the wire late but the Fighting Knights offense was too much on the night as they finished the game shooting 60 percent from the floor. Each side made 29 field goals on the night but Lynn outscored PBA 17-9 at the line which ended up being the difference in the game. PBA forced 24 Lynn turnovers on the night which led to a 16-shot advantage on the night but PBA was able to counter Lynn's hot shooting by shooting just 45 percent from the field.

Fletcher finished with a game-high 17 points for PBA while Whitley finished with 14. The other three Sailfish starters, Alma Danielsson, Maria Benitez-Zayas, and Kash Ayuso all scored ten points each. The Sailfish currently sit on the outside looking in to the SSC Tournament as they are a half-game behind Embry-Riddle and Saint Leo for the final spot. PBA returns to action this Saturday as they host Barry for senior night. The Bucs are 13-12 on the season and defeated PBA in a close game 64-61 earlier this year.