ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida Southern women's basketball (12-4, 6-3 SSC) fell to Eckerd (12-4, 7-2 Sunshine State), 58-54, in a tense matchup at McArthur Center. Despite forcing 18 turnovers and collecting 12 steals, the Moccasins was unable to overcome Eckerd's 36 points in the paint.
Gianna Vos finished with 15 points, converting three 3-pointers and collecting three steals.
Sydney Gomes also scored 15 points, recorded 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year, and added five assists.
Nacoya Blocton contributed defensively with two blocks while
Lily Randgaard tallied three steals and grabbed six rebounds.
The game began with Florida Southern College establishing a defensive presence, as
Nia Blocton recorded an early steal. Despite initial shooting struggles, including a missed jumper by
Monica Balistrere, the Moccasins managed to find success on the fast break, with Gomes scoring a layup to put the team on the board.
Vos made a significant impact with a three-pointer at 3:07, assisted by
Lily Pereira, which helped narrow the gap. Pereira then contributed with a layup and a successful free throw, cutting the deficit further.
As the quarter closed, Florida Southern continued to apply pressure, with Vos adding a free throw to bring the team within striking distance. Eckerd, however, ended the quarter with a layup, leaving the Mocs trailing 17-10.
FSC began the second quarter by capitalizing on defensive opportunities, with Randgaard's early rebound leading to a free throw by
Nia Blocton. Despite several missed shots, the team remained persistent on the boards, securing four offensive rebounds in the quarter.
The Tritons pushed their lead to 23–11 midway through, but the Mocs responded with a strong stretch. Gomes converted a layup, and
Carlota Gomez Alonso added two free throws, narrowing the gap. With less than a minute remaining, Vos hit a crucial 3-pointer off an assist from Randgaard, bringing the score to 30–26 as the quarter concluded. FSC outscored Eckerd 16–13 in the quarter, tightening the overall score.
The third quarter began with a defensive highlight from Vos, who recorded a steal at 8:50, showcasing the Moccasins' defensive efforts. Despite initial shooting struggles, Florida Southern capitalized on turnovers, scoring seven points off opponent miscues. Gomes contributed significantly with a layup at 5:13 and a crucial 3-pointer at the 40-second mark, leveling the score at 40-40.
As the quarter closed, Florida Southern's resilience kept them competitive, overcoming a late deficit with a series of strategic plays. Balistrere's attempt to seize the lead with a 3-pointer at the buzzer was unsuccessful, leaving the score tightly contested at 42-40 in the Tritons' favor.
The fourth quarter began with a pivotal block by Pereira, setting a defensive tone for the Mocs. Gomes capitalized on this momentum with a fast-break layup, narrowing Eckerd's lead. Balistrere and Vos each contributed crucial 3-pointers, allowing FSC to briefly take the lead midway through the quarter.
However, Eckerd responded with a series of successful paint drives, reclaiming and extending their lead. Gomes made efforts to close the gap with another layup, but the Tritons' free-throw shooting in the final seconds sealed the victory. The quarter concluded with the Tritons leading 58–54, despite the Moccasins' competitive push throughout the quarter.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will face Tampa on Wednesday. The matchup is set for 5:30 p.m.
