WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team hit the road in Sunshine State Conference play against Rollins College today. PBA fell to the Tars 65-50 when the two sides met earlier this season in West Palm Beach. After jumping out to a big lead today, the Sailfish were forced into overtime before prevailing 75-72. PBA moves to 12-9 overall with the victory and 6-7 in conference play.

The Sailfish were strong in the opening ten minutes of play as they jumped out to a lead. PBA started just 7-of-20 from the field but six different Sailfish scored a basket on their way to 16 points. Defensively, the 'Fish held the Tars to below 18 percent from the floor and just seven first-quarter points.

The Tars offense that was missing in the first quarter showed up in the second as they scored 25 points to get back into the game. They shot over 60 percent in the quarter while PBA went just 1-of-11 from three in the first half. Mariyah Fletcher was the catalyst for PBA as she had nine points and five rebounds at the half to lead the Sailfish as the two sides were tied at 32 at the break.

After losing their big early lead, the game was tight throughout the rest of the way. Jillian Schenk and Karyzma Pierre led the way for PBA in the third quarter as the tandem each scored six points as the 'Fish took a two-point lead to the fourth quarter. 

PBA went up by seven points with seven minutes remaining when Kash Ayuso knocked down a three-pointer. They led by three points late in the game before a Tars three-pointer tied the game with 1:30 left. The two sides traded turnovers and a sequence of missed shots down the stretch as overtime was needed to separate the two sides as they were tied at 66 through regulation.

A quick Tars basket was answered by an Ayuso three-pointer. She struggled with her shot in regulation but PBA's leading scorer stepped up in overtime as she scored the team's first seven points as she hit another three with 1:34 left to put PBA up three points. After two Rollins free-throws, Pierre knocked down a clutch mid-range jumper to give the Sailfish a three-point lead again. PBA locked down the Tars late as they blocked a heave that would have tied the game and escaped with a one-possession victory.

Both sides shot the ball in the 30's from the field but PBA got balanced scoring throughout the starting lineup. Ayuso's 20 points led the way while she added nine assists and seven turnovers. Fletcher finished the afternoon with 15 points and 12 rebounds for yet another double-double. Schenk finished with 14 while Pierre reached double figures with 12 points.

The Sailfish climb another spot in the SSC rankings with their win over Rollins and they will look to do the same when they travel to Lynn next Wednesday. The Fighting Knights are 12-8 on the season and 7-5 in league play. PBA fell to Lynn 57-51 when the two sides played earlier this season.