LAKELAND – Junior Gianna Vastola netted a career-high 24 points as Florida Southern downed Paine 95-61 in the opening day of the SSC/SIAC Challenge, hosted by the Moccasins Friday here at Jenkins Field House.

The 24 points by Vastola were 10 more than her previous of 14 set twice last season. The 95 points tallied by the Moccasins represents the highest scoring game under second-year FSC head coach Betsy Harris and is the most points for Florida Southern since topping Flagler, 99-48, on Nov. 30, 2011.

Vastola pumped in 17 of her 24 points in the first two quarters, including 13 of the Mocs' first 17 points, as Florida Southern took a 52-27 lead at intermission. She was 9-for-14 from the field and was perfect from the 3-point arc (2-for-2) and the free-throw line (4-for-4). Vastola also tied senior Mariah Harris for the team lead with seven rebounds. Harris would add seven points to the Mocs' win.

Paine, out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, fell behind 9-3 in the first two and a half minutes, but came back to take a 10-9 lead at the 6:14 mark. Vastola then scored the Mocs' next eight points as Florida Southern took the lead and never looked back, leading 30-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Moccasins increased their lead to 27 points, 50-23 with 1:43 left in the second quarter.

"I really liked the way we moved the ball, distributed the ball and also shot it today," Moccasin head coach Betsy Harris said following the win. "It was the best we've shot it from the 3-point line since I've been here and hopefully we can continue that good shooting tomorrow against Clark Atlanta."

Senior Sydni Payne contributed 15 points for the Moccasins, while freshman Samantha Famulare and Camille Giardina netted 11 and 9 points, respectively, in their collegiate debuts. Juniors Shaquita Snow, Flo Ward, and Danielle Thomas, all had eight points for Florida Southern with Snow dishing out eight assists, one shy of her career-high of nine set versus Palm Beach Atlantic last season. Freshman Abby Booth rounded out the Moccasins' scoring with five points.

Ashley Watts led Paine with 17 points, while Tannasia Rhodes added 16 points. Chasity Mullins was the only other Lion in double figures with 11 points. Delisa Sharpe led Paine with seven boards.

Florida Southern shot 56 percent from the field and made 12-of-20 three-pointers while Paine was held to 37 percent from the floor and 5-of-16 from the three-point mark. The Moccasins won the rebounding battle, 43-32, and recorded 24 assists.

The Moccasins continue play in the SSC/SIAC Challenge on Saturday at 4 pm against Clark Atlanta which defeated Saint Leo 79-78 in a buzzer-beater ending.