LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team closed out the 2023 portion of the season, falling to Palm Beach Atlantic University 79-63 in Sunshine State Conference action in the second half.
The Moccasins (7-4, 0-4 SSC) came out strong against the Sailfish (7-5, 1-3 SSC), but let the game slip away in the second half as PBA outscored FSC 50-20.
Despite the loss,
Amari Jackson had a new career-high of 15 points to go along with eight rebounds to lead the Mocs.
Behind Jackson in scoring was
Sarah Lange, who also finished in double-digit scoring with 12 points and tied Jackson with eight boards.
Sydney Gomes went 3-4 from the field for nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
In the first quarter, FSC and PBA battled, going back and forth until
Arielle Dabu sank a 3-pointer with 5:38 to go to make it 8-7. Jackson increased the Mocs lead with a jumper and a free throw followed by
Arriyana Bracero and Gomes jumpers to make it a six-point game, 15-9 with just under three.
Dabu increased the lead by seven to close out the scoring for the Mocs, but the Sailfish closed the gap to five to end the first quarter.
Florida Southern outscored Palm Beach Atlantic 25-16 in the second quarter to end the first half with a 14-point lead behind Lange and Jackson, who converted on multiple layups in the paint.
After the halftime break, the Sailfish came out with intensity on the offensive end that would lead them to a 28-13 third quarter over the Mocs. PBA would go into the fourth quarter with a 57-56 lead.
FSC never regained their momentum, only scoring seven points in the final quarter. PBA never let up, scoring 22 points of their own. The Sailfish would come out on top, 79-63.
The Mocs return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 to kick off the new year against Nova Southeastern. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Jenkins Fieldhouse.
