LAKELAND, Fla. - Florida Southern College women's basketball returned home for the first time this new year facing #16/7 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A game that was aggressive from the tip saw 10 lead changes and six ties as the Eagles battled back in the final quarter for a 66-62 win over the Moccasins in Jenkins Field House on Wednesday evening in Sunshine State Conference action.
Florida Southern (7-6, 2-4 SSC) was led by
Arriyana Bracero going 5-10 from the 3-point arc finishing with 22 points.
Sydney Gomes was one rebound shy of a double-double collecting 12 points all in the second half and nine boards. From the bench,
Sarah Lange contributed double digit numbers putting up 10 points while going 4-4 from the field.
Embry-Riddle (11-1, 6-0) remains undefeated in SSC action and was led by Mary Lengemann with 19 points, followed by Madyson Jean-Louis with 14 and Jenna Teterycz with 10.
The Eagles earned the tip and quickly put the basket up in the first possession. ERAU capitalized on the lead, scoring on a missed layup and turnovers from the Mocs for a 6-0 lead at 7:28 in the first quarter.
Lily Randgaard got the scoring going for FSC with a layup going on a 9-4 run to come within one of the Eagles lead.
FSC and ERAU exchanged baskets allowing the Mocs to come within one point multiple times ending the first quarter with Eagles up 14-13.
Reagan White gave the Mocs the first lead of the game, sinking a shot beyond the arc with nine minutes still left in the first half. The Eagles tied the game back up and took a small lead but FSC kept the pressure exchanging leads three times with two ties until Bracero gave FSC a 32-29 point lead heading into halftime.
Both teams came out of the locker room pressing, exchanging leads with 3-pointers from Bracero and Gomes to keep the lead in the first two minutes of action. Eagles free throws kept them in the game, until Bracero hit her third three of the night to make it 38-38 with four left in the third. Bracero stayed hot from the 3-point range hitting another two baskets giving the Mocs a six-point lead, 49-43.
Bre'Asia Washington increased the Moc lead hitting both free throws after an Eagles foul. ERAU was able to close the gap with a layup and 3-pointer to come within three to end the third quarter.
Gomes' 3-pointer and layup put the Mocs up by eight with still a lot of game left to play. Embry-Riddle went on a 13-4 run to give the lead back to the Eagles with three minutes remaining in regulation. Florida Southern continued to push back on ERAU offense but the Mocs fell to the Eagles in the final minute, 66-62.
Florida Southern returns to Jenkins Field House this Saturday, January 11 as Barry University travels to Lakeland. The tip off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
