DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Florida Southern College women's basketball (17-6, 11-5 SSC) fell to Embry-Riddle (FL) (17-5, 12-4 SSC), 76-70, in a closely contested matchup on Saturday at the ICI Center.
Lily Randgaard recorded a season-high 20 points, converting seven of eight field goal attempts and four of five from beyond the arc.
Sydney Gomes added 18 points and contributed four steals, alongside six rebounds.
Monica Balistrere tallied 10 points and collected three steals, while
Nia Blocton posted nine points and secured four rebounds.
The Mocs forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 23 points, but the Eagles capitalized in the paint with 48 points to secure the win.
Florida Southern began the first quarter with strong defensive efforts, generating four steals and two blocks. These defensive plays kept the momentum balanced despite Embry-Riddle's initial scoring. Gomes and Balistrere contributed with key baskets to narrow the gap early on.
As the quarter progressed,
Gianna Vos and Randgaard stepped up offensively, with Randgaard hitting a crucial fastbreak 3-pointer at 4:11 to tie the score. FSC's bench provided a significant boost, adding six points to the team's total.
The quarter concluded with Randgaard's 3-pointer at 00:52, momentarily giving FSC the lead. However, a last-second 3-pointer by Kailey Turpening of Embry-Riddle brought the score to 17-16, with the Eagles leading at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles extended their lead in the second quarter with efficient scoring and key defensive plays. Despite some early turnovers, the Moccasins responded with notable contributions from Balistrere, who recorded a crucial steal and jumper to keep the momentum balanced. Randgaard and Gomes added to the scoring with timely baskets, but the Eagles maintained their advantage with a 17-point quarter, closing the half ahead, 34-28.
Florida Southern opened the third quarter by reducing its deficit, as Vos completed a layup and added a free throw to bring the score to 31-36. Gomes contributed significantly with a defensive rebound and a layup at 5:21, narrowing the gap further. Despite the Eagles' efforts to maintain their lead, including consecutive layups by Kailey Turpening and Mary Lengemann, the Moccasins' defense forced multiple turnovers to stay competitive.
As the quarter progressed, the Mocs' offensive push was highlighted by a layup from Randgaard and a jumper from Gomes, which cut the deficit to 48-41. The team managed to capitalize on turnovers, with Gomes again scoring from the line. In the closing minutes, Balistrere's layup and Gomes' final second layup ensured the quarter ended with Florida Southern trailing narrowly at 52-47.
FSC began the fourth quarter with an effective outside shooting effort, as Randgaard connected on multiple 3-pointers, assisted by Blocton and Gomes, to keep the game within reach. Despite this strong start from beyond the arc, the Eagles responded by capitalizing on second-chance points and free throws, maintaining their edge.
As the quarter progressed, the Moccasins continued to push back, with
Lily Pereira and Balistrere contributing timely points. The team showed resilience in the final minutes, narrowing the gap with a mix of inside plays and free throws. However, the Eagles' consistent scoring, including free throws by Turpening, kept Florida Southern at bay.
The quarter concluded with the Eagles securing a 76-70 victory, as Florida Southern's late game push fell short despite their competitive effort in the closing minutes.
In their next matchup, FSC will face Florida Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. The Mocs will be playing at home, ready for another conference challenge.
