BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team opened up the 2025 season with a heartbreaking overtime loss falling to Lynn University 74-63 to continue Sunshine State Conference (SSC) action in the new year at the de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center in Boca Raton, Fla on Saturday afternoon.
The Moccasins (7-5, 2-3 SSC) had four finish in double-digits scoring as
Sydney Gomes led the way with 17 points, followed by
Lily Randgaard,
Catalina Ion, and
Bre'Asia Washington all contributing 10 points a piece.
The Fighting Knights (8-5, 2-4 SSC) also had four score in double-figures led by Jess Knight with 18 points, Trinity Mocadlo with 17, Ella Fiore with a double-double (14pts, 18rbs), and Rachel Romich to close out with 13 points.
FSC got out to a slow start allowing Lynn to get out to an 8-0 lead, sinking back-to-back 3-pointers and a layup before Gomes' first basket of the day. Another run by the Fighting Knights, this one being a 10-0 run for a 18-2 deficit forcing the Mocs to rally in the first quarter with just under five remaining.
Florida Southern answered back with an 8-0 rally of their own as Gomes, Randgaard, and Washington all contributed to close out the first quarter and continue the momentum into the second quarter closing within four points. Gomes was able to put the Mocs within one as she hit back-to-back shots beyond the arc and Randgaard tied the game for the first time hitting a free throw to make it 27-all with three minutes remaining in the first half.
The Fighting Knights went on a 8-0 run to end the second quarter and head into halftime with a 35-27 lead. Despite the eight point deficit, the Mocs looked to continue to climb back as they matched Lynn's 17 second quarter points with 17 of their own, in great part thanks to Gomes' second straight six point quarter.
When the second half began the Mocs looked to get out quickly, scoring on each of their first three possessions of the second half, showing efficiency that they struggled to find in the first half. These first three buckets came from unselfish offense as each bucket was assisted, giving the Mocs eight quick points to make things even at 35.
After the offensive outburst by the Mocs, both of the teams offense slowed with only five total points being scored over the following four minutes. Ion sank a three to even the game at 39 with just under four minutes remaining. She followed up with another made three in the next possession before the Mocs exchanged makes from the field with Lynn hitting all baskets from the free throw line to end the third quarter up 51-47 despite a 20 point Florida Southern quarter, their highest of the game.
The teams traded free throws to start the fourth before another long stretch of little offense for both sides with the Mocs scoring three and the Fighting Knights putting up two over the next five minutes. Washington looked to open up scoring for Florida Southern with a jumper in the paint, putting the Mocs within one. Following the make, the Mocs found themselves up two with less than a minute remaining because of strong defense and a made free throw from Randgaard.
Lynn hit pair of free throws themselves, with one second on the clock. Trinity Moclado made both, sending the game to overtime, despite an 8-3 Mocs run over the previous five minutes.
Once overtime began the game shifted again, this time in the favor of the Fighting Knights as they ran away with it in overtime, outscoring Florida Southern 14-3 in the period. The shooting throughout the game proved to be too much to overcome in the 74-63 loss as the Mocs shot 33% from the field.
Florida Southern returns home for the first time this new year facing #21/8 Embry-Riddle on Wednesday, January 8. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Jenkins Field House.
