WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Southern women's basketball (15-5, 9-4 SSC) defeated Palm Beach Atlantic (10-12, 6-8 SSC), 79-70, with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the home team 30-27. The Mocs capitalized on free throws, converting 26 of 29 attempts, to secure the conference victory.
Monica Balistrere poured in a career-high 20 points while
Nia Blocton added her career-best 17, leading the Mocs to 79 total points. Florida Southern was aggressive from the start, earning a season-high 29 trips to the line and converting 26 free throws, nearly tripling its season average.
Sydney Gomes also continued her steady production, reaching double figures for the 20th consecutive game to help seal the conference victory.
The first quarter started with Florida Southern College establishing momentum with
Gianna Vos scoring a layup early to take the lead.
Lily Pereira and Vos extended the lead with consecutive 3-pointers, supported by solid defensive rebounding, which limited the Sailfish's opportunities. Blocton contributed significantly in the paint, scoring multiple baskets to maintain the lead. FSC closed the quarter ahead, 14-10, capitalizing on rebounding and assists to control play.
The Moccasins initiated a strong response early in the second quarter with a defensive stop and a quick transition layup by Gomes at 7:40. This play was a part of a key sequence that helped FSC keep pace with the Sailfish. The team capitalized on turnovers and executed effective fast breaks, highlighted by
Lily Randgaard's 3-pointer at 5:12, tying the game.
As the quarter progressed, the Mocs managed to pull even with the Sailfish several times, thanks to crucial baskets from Balistrere and Gomes. Gomes continued to be instrumental, scoring a layup with 33 seconds left to tie the game again at 31. The quarter concluded with the score deadlocked at 31, maintaining the game's competitive edge.
Florida Southern began the third quarter with a strong inside game, scoring 10 points in the paint. Pereira's layup at 9:12 tied the score at 33–33, and Balistrere's three successful free throws at 7:29 briefly gave the Mocs a three-point lead. Despite the Sailfish tying the game with a three-pointer by Anabel Ellison at 7:08, FSC responded with a layup by Pereira at 6:14 to regain the lead. Randgaard's three-pointer at 2:10 extended Florida Southern's lead to 43–41.
Blocton closed the quarter with an impactful performance, converting a tip-in and adding a layup and free throw in the final moments to secure the Mocs' lead. The quarter ended with FSC ahead 49–43.
The Moccasins began the fourth quarter with a strong push, highlighted by Balistrere's layup assisted by Blocton at 9:43 to extend the lead to 51-43. Randgaard furthered the momentum with another layup at 8:42, assisted again by Blocton, setting the score at 53-43. Despite a brief scoring exchange with the Sailfish, the Mocs maintained control with efficient free-throw shooting, amassing 19 points from the line during the quarter.
The visitors sustained their lead through strategic plays, including a crucial three-pointer by Balistrere at 5:10, which pushed the score to 62-51. Defensive rebounds by Randgaard and Balistrere helped limit the home team's second chances. FSC closed with a series of free throws, sealing the game at 79-70.
Balistrere led with 20 points, converting all seven of her free throw attempts and adding three steals. Blocton recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points and securing 11 rebounds. Randgaard contributed 15 points, going 4-for-5 from the field and adding six rebounds. Gomes dished out seven assists while adding 10 points to the team's effort.
In their next game, the Mocs will face Rollins on Saturday, Feb. 7. The matchup is set for 2 p.m. FSC will be playing away, looking to secure a win on the road.
