LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team hosted Barry University in Sunshine State Conference action on Saturday afternoon, falling 74-69 in a battle in Jenkins Field House.
The Moccasins (7-7, 2-5) were led by
Arriyana Bracero with 24 points, while
Sydney Gomes was just shy of her third triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
Lily Randgaard finished out the double-digit scoring for the Mocs putting up 11 points.
The Buccaneers (11-4, 4-3 SSC) had four players score in double digits. Audrey Jennings led the way with 24 points, followed by Emma Wallhoff with 16, Collen Bucknor with 12, and Aijah Palmore with 10.
A game that was close until the end saw 15 ties and 13 lead changes. Florida Southern attacked first with a Bracero layup a little over a minute into the game. Barry took the lead on a 3-pointer, and the back-and-forth began. The first quarter was a game of cat and mouse for the Mocs, as the Bucs took the lead. FSC would tie until
Lily Pereira hit a shot beyond the arc to make it 16-13 with just under three minutes remaining.
Gomes pushed the lead to five going 2-2 from the line as the quarter ended with Florida Southern on top 19-16.
The second quarter was the same as the first a little slower with Bracero hitting a fast break layup in the paint to get the quarter started. The Bucs and Mocs exchanged possessions tying the game and exchanging leads for the next six minutes of play before Jennings hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to give Barry a 35-31 lead with a minute remaining in the first half.
Gianna Vos allowed the Mocs to come within two with a layup but Jennings hit both free throws to head into the halftime break with a 37-33 score in favor of the Bucs.
Gomes came out aggressive early and allowed the Mocs to come within one, sinking a three. Barry increased its lead to one with a layup, but Bracero shots continued to fall tying the game 39-all after hitting a three of her own. Bracero hit her third 3-pointer of the night shortly after, allowing FSC to take a two-point lead with eight minutes left in the third.
It was a one-point game the majority of the third quarter until thirty seconds remained and Barry went on a 5-0 run to take a four-point lead with two made free throws and a Jennings three to head into the fourth quarter with a 58-54 lead.
Gomes opened the fourth quarter with a layup to cut the Bucs lead but Barry answered back with one of their own to keep it a four-point game. Another 5-0 run gave Barry their biggest lead of the game as Gomes and Pereira tried to cut the lead back down with layups in the paint, 65-62. A made free throw and a
Sarah Lange layup tied the game 65-all with just under five left in regulation.
Florida Southern tried to rally to take the lead and then to fight back from being down from a 6-0 run but the Mocs was only able to come within a 73-69 margin falling to the Bucs 75-69.
Florida Southern hits the road next Wednesday, January 15 as they travel to Fort Lauderdale to face Nova Southeastern in another SSC matchup. The tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
