Box Score
WEST PALM BEACH - Sophomore guard Ali Sanders (Sleepy Hollow, Ill.) hit one of the biggest shots of the season here Saturday afternoon as her three-pointer with 0.7 seconds left in regulation against Palm Beach Atlantic forced overtime and in the extra session, Florida Southern outscored the Sailfish, 16-7 to post an 81-72 overtime victory in non-conference action at Rubin Arena on the PBA campus.
The victory improved FSC to 5-12 overall on the season and 5-5 in non-conference games. PBA fell to 7-14 on the season.
"I got a good look at the basket and was able to step up and hit the shot," said Sanders of her game-tying trey to force overtime. "It was a prayer that was answered."
Sanders finished the game with 10 points to give the Mocs four double figure scorers for the first time this season.
In overtime, the Mocs scored the first seven points and ended the game by hitting 5-of-10 free throws to seal the win and snap its school record 10 game losing streak. Prior to Saturday's win, the Mocs last victory came over Puerto Rico-Bayamon (65-61) on Nov. 30 to close play in the Eckerd Thanksgiving Classic in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Senior forward Morgan Lamberg (Mukwonago, Wis.) scored six of her 16 points in overtime, while junior guard Syerra Davis (Tolleson, Ariz.) scored five of her career-high 13 points in the extra session.
"I thought that some of players stepped up and made some plays in overtime today," Mocs head coach Holly Borchers said. "I am happy for our players as this win was a product of all the hard work they have been putting in."
The Mocs, who trailed 37-35 at the half, opened the second half on a 13-2 run to push out to a 48-39 lead following a 3-point play from freshman forward Christin Strawbridge (Lakeland, Fla.). The run was keyed by eight consecutive points from sophomore forward Mariah Harris (Gainesville, Fla.).
PBA would answer FSC's run with a 7-0 scoring spree of its own to drop the Mocs lead to 48-45 following a lay-up from Kasie Parker. Parker led the way for the Sailfish with a game-high 25 points, including scoring 15 of those points in the second half.
The Mocs would push its lead back out to seven points at 52-45 thanks to two points apiece from Strawbridge and Harris, before PBA used a 9-2 run capped by two Jaz Green free throws to tie the game at 54 with 7:13 remaining.
FSC would respond to PBA's run by scoring five straight points to take a 59-54 lead. The lead, though, was short-lived as the Sailfish scored 11 of the next 14 points to take a 65-62 lead following two free throws by Parker with 13 seconds left to set up Sanders' game-tying three-pointer to force overtime.
Harris led the way offensively for the Mocs on the day as she finished with a 24 points and added 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. In addition, it was her team-leading ninth double-digit scoring effort of the season.
Strawbridge and freshman guard Morgan Siebka (Slippery Rock, Pa.) each scored seven points off the bench for the Mocs as FSC scored 15 points off the bench in the game. PBA finished with 17 bench points.
The Mocs, who were playing the Sailfish for the second time this season, jumped out to a 9-2 lead just a little over three minutes into the game.
After trailing by as much as 10 points at 17-7, the Sailfish used a 19-7 run to take a 26-24 following a fastbreak lay-up by Parker with 5:43 left in the opening half. PBA's run was keyed by six points apiece from Parker and Ayanna Holmes.
The teams would then take turns trading the lead until PBA used a 9-0 run capped by a Parker lay-up to push in front 37-30 with 1:41 left in the half.
FSC would close out the half by scoring the final five points, including junior guard Cashala Thompson (Tucson, Ariz.) hitting a trey with five seconds left to send the Mocs into the half trailing 37-35.
In addition to Parker's 25 points, Green finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Sailfish, while Taylor Buchanan added eight points in the loss.
For the game, FSC shot 44 percent from the field and 32 percent (6-for-19) from the 3-point line, while PBA shot 37 percent from the floor and 16 percent (3-for-19) from the 3-point line.
FSC also finished the game with a 45-38 edge on the glass as along with Harris' 10 boards, Davis pulled down eight, while Lamberg and Sanders each had seven boards in the win. The Mocs lost the turnover battle, 17-11.
Both teams were strong from the free throw line as FSC shot 72 percent at the line, including going 9-for-11 at the line in the second half, while PBA shot 81 percent (17-for-21) from the line.
The Mocs will return to Sunshine State Conference action on Wednesday, Jan. 29 as they close out the first half of league play with a 5:30 p.m. game at 13th-ranked Rollins.
