GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the third time this season, Santa Fe Women's Basketball overcame Florida State College at Jacksonville.

The Saints beat the Blue Wave by a 70-53 score inside the SF Gymnasium, separating themselves in the second half for the season's twelfth win.

First Quarter – FSCJ 19, SF 10

SF's offense got off to a slow start. The Saints were able to create multiple second-chance opportunities with 11 offensive rebounds but shot just 5-of-24 from the field.

FSCJ on the other hand, hit 6-of-13 from the floor to establish the early lead, which reached as high as ten points.

Second Quarter – FSCJ 29, SF 27

Santa Fe started to chip away into the deficit and were able to make it a one-possession game at the halftime whistle.

The Saints started the quarter on a 10-3 run to get to within two. Olivia Smith had eight of those ten points and had ten points and seven rebounds at the break.

Malea Brown had a second chance stick back in the paint to beat the horn and send the Saints into the locker room with some momentum.

Third Quarter – SF 45, FSCJ 42

The Saints took their first lead of the game when Brown sunk a triple at the 5:39 mark, forcing a timeout from FSCJ.

Once again, SF had a basket in the waning seconds of the quarter, as Smith converted with a basket in the paint.

Fourth Quarter – SF 70, FSCJ 53

Leading 53-50 with 5:52 remaining, the game's next seven points went to SF, as the Saints claimed a double-digit, 60-50 lead. Aleisha Curry had two second chance putbacks to spark the run.

SF earned the victory by holding FSCJ scoreless in the final minute, scoring eight unanswered points. All eight came from the free-throw line, as FSCJ's attempts to extend the game were dampened  by quality shooting from the stripe.  

Key Statistics

The Saints held a dominant 59-35 advantage in the rebounding category. A whopping 36 rebounds were on the offensive end.

Points in the paint were 34 for SF compared to just 12 from the Blue Wave.

Smith had a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds. Brown tied Smith in the team-high for scoring with 18 points, adding four steals on the defensive end.

Coming off the bench, Aleisha Curry joined Smith with a double-double, contributing 15 points and a team-high 13 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive end.

Up Next

Santa Fe (12-12, 4-5 Central) heads to play Central Conference leader No. 17 Eastern Florida State College (22-3, 9-0 Central) on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.