SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team hit the road tonight as they faced the Saint Leo Lions. With the season winding down and conference standings scenarios beginning to show themselves, the Sailfish had a win-and-clinch scenario tonight. The 'Fish overcame a late Lions run to earn a 59-57 victory and punch their ticket into the conference tourney. PBA's record moves to 14-12 with the win and they sit with an 8-10 record in SSC play.

In a game that both teams needed, the Sailfish got off to a strong start as they got production from Katelynn Hagy and Ashleigh Boulin who each scored four points in the first quarter. Reigning SSC Player of the Week Kash Ayuso was aggressive early on but hit on just 2-of-8 shots from the field and scored five points. PBA was strong defensively throughout the night as they held Saint Leo below 30 percent shooting in the first half. PBA started with a 15-12 lead after the opening ten minutes of play.

PBA had a balanced attack offensively in the second quarter as six different players scored. Jillian Schenk led the team with five points and knocked down PBA's lone three-pointer on the night. Both sides struggled from deep on the night as the Sailfish went 1-of-10 and the home side went 5-of-24. The 'Fish built on their small early lead, up 31-25 at the half.

The Sailfish dominated play in the second half as they outscored the Lions 22-8 down low in the final 20 minutes of play. Boulin carried the PBA offensive in the third quarter as she scored 10 of her season-high 25 points. The Sailfish looked to be in control heading to the fourth quarter as they led by 10 thanks to holding Saint Leo to 3-of-18 shooting in the third.

Saint Leo had their best offensive quarter of the night when they needed it most as they opened the last quarter on a 12-2 run. PBA was able to stop the Lion's momentum by getting back to Boulin down low as she scored eight points in the final quarter. A Boulin floater and an Ayuso driving layup through a double team put PBA up seven with 1:30 remaining. PBA was able to keep the ball for nearly the entire final minute as they forced a Saint Leo foul to reset the shot clock. PBA was able to force a turnover as the Lions needed a basket to force overtime with five seconds left as the Sailfish captured a 59-57 win.

Boulin played her best game of the year for the Sailfish as she finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Ayuso was second on the team in scoring as she finished with 13 points but on just 6-of-22 shooting and was able to add nine rebounds and six assists. PBA finished shooting 37 percent from the floor while Saint Leo finished shooting 31 percent.

PBA returns home this Saturday when they host Embry-Riddle at Rubin Arena. The Eagles are sitting in the third spot in the SSC standings and coming off a win over Eckerd. Embry-Riddle defeated the Sailfish 69-67 in overtime when the two sides met earlier this season.