MELBOURNE, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team clinched their spot in the SSC Tournament on Wednesday evening with a win on the road over Florida Tech by a score of 73-65.  

It took the Sailfish a few minutes in the first quarter to get their legs underneath them against the Panthers. After a pair of free throws for Florida Tech, PBA found themselves down 9-4 with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter. However, a 10-2 run from the 'Fish capped off by a three-pointer from Carleigh Andrews, gave them a 14-11 lead with 1:47 remaining in the first frame. Buckets from Anabel Ellison and Darria Whitley gave the Sailfish a 20-17 lead heading into the second quarter.  

A Katelynn Hagy basket gave the Sailfish a five-point lead to open up the second quarter. However, Tech responded with a run of their own to take a 25-22 lead. A Natalie Allen triple on the next possession immediately erased the Panther lead. After the Panthers completed a three-point play on a bucket and the foul, Allen responded with another three-pointer to tie things up at 28. PBA ended the half on a 10-3 run to end the half and take a 37-32 lead into the break.  

After a big three-point shot from Zoe Wortinger, the Sailfish stretched their third quarter lead to out to 46-37. However, a 9-0 run by the Panthers brought the game back to even at 46 with a minute remaining in the quarter. Kash Ayuso converted a layup to give PBA a two-point lead heading into the final frame. 

Early into the frame, it was back and forth before Tech took a 55-52 lead with just over six minutes to play. A couple of buckets from Katelynn Hagy and Karyzma Pierre gave the Sailfish the lead and never looked back. PBA drew the lead back out to ten points with just over a minute left. Ellison, Ayuso, and Pierre knocked down their free throws down the stretch to ice the game and give the 'Fish the big win.  

Kash Ayuso led the way for PBA with 18 points and eight rebounds. Carleigh Andrews contributed 12 points of her own. Karyzma Pierre and Katelynn Hagy followed behind each with ten points. Anabel Ellison had eight points and eight rebounds. Natalie Allen with her two three pointers had her career-high in points with six.  

The Sailfish return to action for the final time in the regular season on March 1st against Florida Southern at 1 p.m. Seeding and where the Sailfish will be playing in the SSC tournament will be determined after the end of the season.