WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Atlantic University women's basketball hosted the No. 3 team in the country at Rubin Arena today as the Tampa Spartan came to town tonight. After handing the Spartans their only loss of the season in the previous matchup, Tampa came out on top today 60-44 to drop the Sailfish to 9-12 overall and 5-10 in conference play.

Both sides' offenses were humming in the opening ten minutes of play. The Sailfish shot 8-of-20 from the floor as they scored 18 points in the first quarter. Darria Whitley led the way, scoring seven points in the first. Unfortunately for PBA, the Spartans countered by shooting 60 percent from the field. Tampa led 21-18 early on after an evenly-matched quarter of play.

The Spartans created separation in the second as the 'Fish offense went cold. PBA scored just seven points while shooting 3-of-12 from the floor. Tampa countered with 17 points in the second and  began to pull away, leading 38-25 at the half.

The Sailfish showed fight as they battled back in the third quarter. PBA won the third 13-11 as they cut the Spartan's deficit down to nine at times but couldn't get any closer than that in the second half. PBA struggled from deep on the night going just 3-of-11. The Sailfish struggle from the floor continued in the last quarter, shooting 2-of-13 to close out the contest.

The Sailfish finished 30 percent on the night, led by Whitley who was the lone player to finish in double-figures with 13 points. Kash Ayuso scored eight and Ashleigh Boulin scored seven off the Sailfish bench. Maria Benitez-Zayas and Mariyah Fletcher each added six points as just six Sailfish scored on the night.

The Sailfish sit in a good spot to make the SSC Tournament as they currently sit seventh in the standings after tonight. The 'Fish hit the road next week as they travel to face Embry-Riddle on Wednesday. The Eagles won the previous matchup 63-60 and have a 4-11 record in the conference this season.