GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Day 1 of the Best Western Gateway Classic was a success for Santa Fe College women's basketball, as the Saints improved to 4-2 with an 85-78 victory over Miami Dade.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening half had several lead changes and was a high-scoring affair, as both offenses were finding plenty of success.

The Saints trailed the Sharks by three at the halftime whistle, 45-42, despite 14 first-half points from Malea Brown.

The third quarter was really where the Saints took control, outscoring Miami Dade 25-11 in the frame.

Trailing 52-45 with 8:25 left in the third quarter, SF accounted for the game's next 16 points, completely shifting momentum and helping the Saints to a 61-52 lead.

The run was extended to 22-4, as the hosts took their largest lead of the game, 13 points, at 67-54 late in the third quarter after a Casey Lewis bucket.

The Saints' offense was balanced during the run, and the defense had seemed to make the necessary adjustments to slow the Sharks down.

MDC did, however, make one final push to trim the gap all the way down to four points, 77-73, with just 4:18 left to play.

A triple from Joey Delancy near the three-minute mark proved to be key in keeping the Sharks from getting any closer, as did a three-pointer from Lewis as the clock approached the final minute in a Saints' victory.

UPDATED RECORDS

Santa Fe – 4-2

Miami Dade – 1-7

KEY STATISTICS

SF dished out a season-high 23 assists on their 31 made field goals. Nine baskets were triples for another season-high mark, as the Saints went 9-of-20 from behind the arc.

The Saints also did well from the charity stripe, sinking 14-of-18.

Brown was the game's leading scorer with 26 points, and she added six assists, six rebounds, and four steals as well for a well-rounded performance.

Lewis had a season-high 15 points, which included three trifectas. Delancy flirted with a triple-double stat line, recording 13 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the Saints' cause.

Selah Reddick was the final Saint in double-digit scoring, finishing with ten.

Santa Fe College President, Dr. Paul Broadie, was in attendance to help support the Saints in the win.

UP NEXT

In the day's opener, No. 13 Eastern Florida came out on top of No. 18 Florida Southwestern 74-54.

The second day of the Best Western Gateway Grand Classic will pit No. 13 Eastern Florida against Miami Dade at noon, which will be followed by Santa Fe against No. 18 Florida Southwestern at 2:00 p.m.