Women's Basketball Drops to No. 20 Florida Southwestern, 81-64
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the final nonconference game of the 2021-2022 season for Santa Fe women's basketball, the Saints came up on the short end of the stick against a talented, No. 20 Florida Southwestern State College, 81-64.
The Saints had their moments against the Buccaneers, but FSW picked up their third win over SF this season.
First Quarter – #20 FSW 19, SF 10
The SF Gymnasium had a lot of energy in the early going, after the Talbot Elementary Choir opened up the game with their rendition of the National Anthem.
The Saints fed off the energy and started off well to hold a 10-9 lead at the 4:37 mark, after Malea Brown poured in a basket.
FSW, however, proceeded to go on a 10-0 run to conclude the quarter as the Saints' offense went through a dry spell.
Second Quarter – #20 FSW 37, SF 27
SF cut their deficit to just three points, 23-20 nearing the second quarter's midway point, on the strength of an 8-2 run.
Selah Reddick and Brown each canned triples during that stretch of play.
The ten-point lead at the halftime whistle, however, tied for the Buccaneers' largest advantage of the game so far.
Brown had 11 points to lead the Saints offensively.
Third Quarter – #20 FSW 61, SF 46
FSW pushed their lead to as large as 17 points in the third quarter and continued to shoot the ball efficiently.
The Bucs went 8-of-17 in the frame and hit four three-pointers, SF was also effective offensively, shooting 7-of-11 in the quarter, but couldn't get the defensive stops needed to work their way back into the contest.
Fourth Quarter – #20 FSW 81, SF 64
FSW's largest lead of the game, 20 points, came in the final quarter, and the Buccaneers kept SF at bay in the game's final moments.
Key Statistics
Perhaps FSW's biggest advantage came in the rebounding category, 51-26.
Points in the paint also went to FSW, 34-24, oftentimes coming from second chance opportunities.
Reddick had a team-high 16 points and went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Brown finished with 15, while Olivia Smith put in 15 points and eight rebounds.
Up Next
Santa Fe (10-12, 2-5 Central) travels to play Daytona State on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.