DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team hit the road in Sunshine State Conference play tonight as they battled with Embry-Riddle. Riding a five-game winning streak, the Sailfish fell on the road 69-67 in overtime to snap their winning ways. PBA falls to 8-6 overall with the defeat and 2-4 in SSC play.
The two sides played an even opening ten minutes of play. The 'Fish shot the ball better than the Eagles from the floor but committed nine turnovers in the quarter. Leading scorer and primary ball handler
Kash Ayuso got into early foul trouble which limited her minutes and didn't allow her to get into an offensive rhythm.
Claire Davis and
Zoe Wortinger came in and scored six of the team's 14 points off the bench as PBA trailed 16-12 after the first quarter.
The shooting slowed down for PBA in the second quarter as they shot 4-of-13 from the floor. Davis continued to be the primary scorer as she scored five points in the second quarter. The Sailfish defense was able to keep them in the game as they held the home side to 40 percent in the opening half. PBA trailed 33-23 at the half.
The Sailfish stormed out of the half, led by Ayuso who looked unguardable for a five-minute stretch as she scored 11 points. Her momentum was halted when she picked up her fourth foul and was forced to the bench for the remainder of the third. The rest of the 'Fish picked up the slack with their leading scorer headed to the bench by outscoring the Eagles 22-16 in the third to get right back into the game, trailing just 49-45.
PBA has been a strong second-half team during their current winning streak and that continued into the fourth quarter tonight. Davis scored three straight baskets to start the fourth quarter and give the 'Fish a 51-50 lead with five minutes remaining. The two sides traded baskets in the closing possessions but it was PBA trailing by two with 15 seconds remaining. Two good lucks from Ayuso and Fletcher didn't go but on their second offensive rebound of the possession by
Jillian Schenk, Fletcher got a bucket to go at the rim with three seconds remaining to force overtime.
Neither side trailed by more than two points in the overtime period. Ayuso scored two buckets for the Sailfish in extra time while Boulin hit on two clutch free throws. Down one, it was the Eagles who attacked the offensive glass and earned a trip to the line which they converted to go up one. PBA had two looks late but an open Bri Marlow jumper and an Ayuso drive wouldn't go as PBA came up short by two.
The Sailfish fought hard to get back into the contest throughout the second half while shorthanded. Ayuso managed to score 23 points while playing just 23 minutes due to her foul trouble. Davis finished with 18 points but was forced out of the game late with an injury.
PBA will look to build a new winning streak when they return home this weekend to face Saint Leo on Saturday at Rubin Arena. The Lions are currently 9-5 overall and 3-3 in SSC play.
