Saints Beat the Sharks
Saints overcome slow start on the offensive end with a stellar defensive outing.
The Saints traveled to Miami Dade College for their next to last conference game of the year. It was a slow start for both teams as the Sharks missed their first six shots and the Saints opened up with five turnovers in the first minute and a half of the game. The Saints held Miami Dade to a one for fourteen start from the field but struggled to find a way to capitalize on the offensive end. Joey Delancy had six first quarter defensive rebounds and collected a steal. The Sharks led the Saints after the first quarter 17-13.
Both teams struggled to score to start the second quarter, but the Saints evened up the score at 21 via a Camyrn Robinson three assisted by Shakiria Chaney right before the five minute mark. The Chaney-Robinson connection worked again as Robinson hit another three to tie the game at 26. The Sharks benefited from a long banked in three early in the shot clock to take a 34-31 lead but Chaney who had just made free throws hit a two pointer to get the Saints within one at intermission.
The Saints had a quick start to the third quarter as Khaleah Douglas started with two made threes; Delancy was the assist maker. Douglas followed that up with a pair of made free throws after being fouled driving to the basket. At the third quarter media mark the Saints seemed in control up 50-47. They took control of the game from there outscoring the Sharks 20-6 over the final 15 minutes.
The Saints forced Miami Dade to miss shots. Their first fourth quarter field goal didn't come until the 3:00 minute mark by way of a long rebound turned transition layup. The Saints responded well with both Delancy and Douglas making long threes of their own to extent the lead to thirteen. And then Delancy made a pull up jumper to take the Saints lead 15 points. Chaney finished the run by the Saints with a pair of made free throws to create a 17 point lead for the final score. The Saints held the Sharks to only one made field goal in the fourth quarter resulting in a defensive clinic holding the Sharks to six points in the fourth.
Delancy finished with 16 points and 12 defensive rebounds to go along with three assists. Douglas finished with 11 points and three assists. Chaney had 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Saints as a team had 45 defensive rebounds.
The win puts the Saints in a position to play for the fifth and final spot representing the Citrus Confernce at the Region VIII State Tournament in Niceville. Both Daytona and Santa Fe are tied for fifth place currenlty at 9-11 in the conference with one game to go. The Saints do hold the tie-breaker over Daytona if the two were to finish tied.