Aranda's Three-Point Play with 7.0 Remaining Lifts Mocs Women's Basketball to 55-54 Victory

Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. – Senior guard Marta Aranda celebrated her Senior Day in style, making a three point play with 7.0 seconds to play, pushing the Mocs to a 55-54 victory over visiting Palm Beach Atlantic on Sunday afternoon.
Also celebrating her Senior Day was guard Monet Burkett, as the Mocs ran their record to 3-2 on the year, while PBA drops to 1-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1^st Quarter

• After PBA took an early 3-0 lead, the Mocs scored four straight points, on a jumper from Mackenzie Steele and a pair of free throws from Aranda.
• The Mocs would lead by four points several times in the quarter, lastly when sophomore forward Chyna Bullen's layup was good with 2:36 to go, as the Mocs took a 13-9 lead after the first quarter.

2^nd Quarter

• Junior forward Ashley Shell and Steele led the Mocs to a 5-1 spurt to begin the second quarter, as Southern led by eight points, 18-10.
• The Sailfish then went on an 8-0 run to tie the game, before freshman guard Maddy Morales sank a jumper to put the Mocs back out front, 20-18.
• After PBA captured the lead, Morales made a three pointer as time expired in the half, and FSC took a slim 23-22 lead into the break.

3^rd Quarter

• PBA recorded a 7-0 run early in the third to take a 29-25 lead.
• The Mocs responded with a 9-2 run of their own, which included 5 points from Aranda.
• After a PBA layup with 3:22 remaining, the Mocs ended the quarter with five consecutive points, taking a six point lead, 39-33.

4^th Quarter

• The teams traded baskets for most of the fourth quarter, but the Mocs held the lead.
• However, with 3:23 to play, PBA retook the lead as a fast break layup.
• The Sailfish would extend the lead to as many as three points with 1:24 to go, on a pair of free throws.
• Steele would go to the line with 35 seconds to go, making both free throws, to trim the deficit to one point.
• Ten seconds later, PBA made one of two free throws, pushing the lead back to two points, 54-52, with 25 seconds remaining.
• After several timeouts, Aranda drove the lane and made her layup and got fouled with 7.0 remaining in regulation. With the score tied, she calmly sank the free throw, putting the Mocs on top, 55-54.
• PBA had an opportunity to inbound the ball, but the FSC defense knocked the ball out of bounds with three seconds left.
• From there, PBA's final layup attempt was no good, and time expired, granting Florida Southern the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Aranda led all scorers with 17 points, setting a career-high, while playing all 40 minutes.
• Shell recorded 12 points and nine rebounds, while Steele added 11 points and four boards. Grad student Julia Jenike had eight points and seven rebounds.
• The Mocs defense forced 18 PBA turnovers, while holding the Sailfish to a shooting percentage of just 40%.

UP NEXT
The Mocs are next scheduled to play at Barry on Saturday, March 13, before heading to the Sunshine State Conference Championships on March 16. However, additional games may be added to the schedule.