WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team returned to action tonight as they hosted Barry University in a Sunshine State Conference battle. In a crucial game to determine SSC standings, the Sailfish jumped on the Buccaneers early and never looked back on their way to a 91-63 victory. PBA moves to 11-9 with the victory and 5-7 in conference play. 

The Sailfish opened the game with one of their best quarters of the season as they jumped out to a 30-16 lead. PBA's offense was clicking in nearly all facets as they shot 50 percent from the floor, 12-of-24. Defensively, the 'Fish held the Bucs below 40 percent and forced seven turnovers. Mariyah Fletcher led the way for PBA as she scored 13 first-quarter points on 5-of-6 shooting.

The 'Fish kept their foot on the gas to close out the first half as Claire Davis provided a boost off the bench. She scored seven points and pulled down four rebounds in the quarter as PBA scored 18 points to lead 48-35 at the half. 

After a slow opening half, leading scorer Kash Ayuso came to life in the second half. She had ten points in the third quarter and eight more in the fourth to finish with a game-high 22. Fletcher finished her night with 21 points, on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting, and pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double. The 'Fish finished with five players in double-figures as Ashleigh Boulin scored 14 points. Karyzma Pierre finished with ten while Davis finished with 13 off the bench.

PBA was in control throughout, after the opening quarter as they put in one of their best efforts of the year. They outscored Barry 23-17 in the third and 20-11 in the fourth quarter en route to their 28-point victory and the most points they have scored in a SSC game.

PBA finished shooting 37-of-67 from the field and were strong at the line going 14-of-16. The only area PBA could have improved shooting-wise was from deep as they shot 3-of-16 from deep. The Sailfish take a jump up the SSC standings in their bid to make the conference tournament as they move two games ahead of Barry.

The Sailfish will look to keep the momentum going as they hit the road to take on Rollins this Saturday. The Tars have dropped six in a row after getting off to a strong start and defeating PBA in West Palm Beach 65-50 earlier this year.