Mocs Fall to Lions In Overtime on Senior Night

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College women's basketball team dropped a heart breaker on senior day as they fell 68-65 in overtime to Saint Leo University in Jenkins Field House in Sunshine State Conference action.
 
The Moccasins (10-15, 5-13 SSC) were led by Sydney Gomes going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc for 18 points, followed by Lily Pereira and senior Arriyana Bracero with 11 points. For the Lions (10-15, 5-13 SSC) Alanis Diaz led the way with 18 points, followed by Jumoke Adaramoy scoring a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards and Vanessa McManus with 10 to follow up with double digit scoring. 
 
Florida Southern's seniors Anna Denes and Sarah Lange got the scoring started for the Mocs with a layup from Denes to open the game and a jumper from Lange to make it 4-2. Gomes sank a 3-pointer followed by an and one to give FSC a nine-point lead. Lily Randgaard finished the 12-3 run scoring a fast break jumper as the Mocs jumped out to an 11-point lead. Saint Leo tried to inch its way back in but would end the quarter down 24-16. 
 
The second quarter opened with an 11-3 run as the Lions tied the game up 27-all with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half. Bracero and Gomes sank 3-pointers to get the Mocs up by one, but Saint Leo continued to push, taking the lead with two made free throws, 34-33. The teams exchanged possessions and buckets but the Lions went into the locker room with a one-point lead after a jumper in the paint from Pereira, 38-37. 
 
Gomes converted from mid range to start the second half, putting the Mocs up one, as the two teams continued to exchange leads until Bracero sank a 3-pointer allowing FSC to take a one point lead. Pereira put the Mocs up by four, but the Lions made three and changed the lead in their favor, before the Mocs 7-3 run gave FSC a two-point advantage to end the third quarter of play.
 
To open the fourth quarter, Saint Leo tied the game 53-all with a jumper as the rally continued. Bracero's fast break layup put FSC back up two, the Lions tied the game once again but never took the lead until the final minute of play as they tied the game up with 62 points a piece and sent the game into overtime. 
 
In overtime, Saint Leo went on a 6-0 run to get out on top and never let Florida Southern back in as they only scored a 3-pointer from Randgaard to close out the overtime period, falling 68-65. 
 
Florida Southern returns to action, Wednesday, Feb.26 as they finish out the season on the road. The Mocs will take on Rollins in SSC action in Winter Park with tip off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
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