TAMPA, Fla. - In the third matchup of the season with Hillsborough Community College, Santa Fe women's basketball came down down-to-the-wire with the Hawks 

First Quarter – SF 13, HCC 10

Santa Fe hit three triples in the opening quarter, two from Zoé Alexander, and led the Hawks 13-10 at the end of one.

Second Quarter – HCC 31, SF 30

The Saints once again converted on three trifectas, but Hillsborough outscored SF 21-17 in the second quarter to lead by a single point at the halftime whistle.

Third Quarter – HCC 55, SF 52

The Saints got eight points from Jasani Buchanan in the third quarter, but the Hawks still clung to the narrow advantage.

Fourth Quarter – HCC 76, SF 73

Renee Clines canned two from beyond the arc and had eight points in the decisive quarter, helping the Saints come down to the wire with the Hawks.

Santa Fe held possession trailing by just one, 74-73, with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. The Saints were hurt by a turnover while trying to swing the ball, however, and SF was forced to foul Hillsborough.

The Hawks hit two from the free-throw line to go in front 76-73, and Buchanan's attempt to tie the game with a three-pointer in the final few seconds missed the mark.

Key Statistics

SF made 11 three-pointers, but Hillsborough was even more difficult to stop from beyond the arc, as the Hawks hit 15.

Alexander had a team-high 20 points for Santa Fe in the loss. Kelli Cunningham finished with 14 points with four three-pointers.

Buchanan and Clines were also in double-figures, finishing with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Coach Stebbins' Take

"We fought until the last shot," said Head Coach Chanda Stebbins. "It was a much better team effort today. I am proud of how well we played, but we just couldn't come away with the win."

Up Next

Santa Fe (3-12, 2-8 CC) hosts Eastern Florida on Saturday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m.