TAMPA, Fla. – Santa Fe Women's Basketball began the 2021-2022 season with a matchup at Hillsborough, and the Hawks used a bug third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and edge the Saints, 90-85.

First Quarter – SF 22, HCC 19

In the early going, SF established a 14-7 lead.

Although the advantage was trimmed down a bit after the first ten minutes, the Saints held the 22-19 lead.

Second Quarter – SF 43, HCC 33

The Saints continued to have offensive success and played fast up and down the court to outscore HCC 21-14 in the second quarter.

Third Quarter – HCC 64, SF 61

The ten-point halftime lead, however, dissipated as the hosts outscored SF 31-18 in the frame.

Fourth Quarter – HCC 90, SF 85

The Saints were still right in it in the final minutes of the fourth, and the score was tied with about five minutes to play.

Hillsborough was able to produce more baskets when they needed them down the stretch, however, and handed the Saints a 90-85 defeat in the opener.

Key Statistics (Unofficial)

Unofficially, Curry was dominant with a career-high 34 points to go along with 17 rebounds.

Bowers filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, ten rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals.

Olivia Smith (12 points) and Kelli Cunningham (11) each reached double-figure scoring.  

Coach Stebbins' Take  

"You just can't overcome 42 turnovers. We have to make better decisions with the ball, and we will grow and learn from this."

Up Next

Santa Fe (0-1, 0-0 Central) will participate in the Florida JUCO Shootout, beginning on Friday, Nov. 5 against Indian River State College. Tipoff time is set for 11:00 a.m. on the neutral court at Eastern Florida State College.