LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team defeated Palm Beach Atlantic University, 78-53, in the home opener at the George W. Jenkins Fieldhouse on Saturday evening.
The Moccasins (2-1, 1-0 SSC) got off to a dominant start, going on an 18-2 run in the first quarter to put the game out of reach as the team won their first Sunshine State Conference game of the season against the visiting Sailfish (1-1, 0-1 SSC).
Ashley Shell proved to be a difference-maker once again, as she logged 21 points and nine rebounds in the victory. The graduate student currently leads the conference, averaging 21.67 points per game through three contests this season.
The Moccasins spread out the offense across the board, as four different players scored in double-digits. Sophomore
Arielle Dabu and freshman
Sydney Gomes each logged 16 points to keep Palm Beach Atlantic at bay.
Dabu put the Mocs ahead early, as she scored seven consecutive points in the opening frame to give Florida Southern a lead that they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the contest. Gomes tacked on five points in the first quarter and
Arriyana Bracero knocked down a big three-pointer as the Moccasins took a commanding 26-10 lead into the second quarter.
The Sailfish were able to keep the game close throughout the second quarter, as the Moccasins outscored the visitors by just two points in that period. Junior
Maria Llorente knocked down five points in the quarter as part of her big second half. She recorded three rebounds and three assists in the first twenty minutes as Florida Southern took a 40-22 lead into halftime.
Palm Beach Atlantic again kept the game interesting in the third quarter, as they were able to outscore Florida Southern 18-17 in the frame. The Sailfish sunk four three-pointers in the quarter while Shell began to heat up, as she notched seven points and a pair of rebounds to keep the Moccasins well in control of the game. They led Palm Beach Atlantic, 57-40, headed into the final quarter.
The Mocs were able to finish the game in a similar fashion that they started it, as they shot over 46% from the field and out-rebounded the Sailfish 12-5 in the fourth quarter. Florida Southern wound up out-rebounding the visitors 46-33 in the game and allowed PBA to shoot just 27.1% from the field over the course of the contest.
UP NEXT
The Moccasins will turn their attention to Tuesday night; when they will host Lincoln University of Missouri at 5:30 p.m.
