FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Seattle Pacific University women's basketball team took on Palm Beach Atlantic for the first time ever on Saturday morning when a strong second half powered the Falcons to a 53-42 victory over the Sailfish.
FROM THE COACH
"We reminded ourselves that we are at our best when we have strong ball pressure, run the court, and play team ball," head coach
Karen Byers said. "They came together and played for each other.
Grace Turley helped get us going in the third and went on an 8-0 run. Her leadership really helped set the tone."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Madison Rubino led the Falcons with four points in the first quarter, helping SPU gain an 11-10 lead by the end of the quarter.
- The final five minutes of the first half belonged to the Sailfish, as they went on a 12-4 run to gain a 27-21 lead at halftime.
- SPU was stout defensively in the second half, holding PBA to single digits in each quarter of the game.
- The Sailfish went 5-for-27 from the field in the final 20 minutes of the game.
- The Falcons went on a 32-15 run to close out the second half.
- Grace Turley opened the third quarter by scoring eight straight points for the Falcons.
- Turley closed out the game for the Falcons as well, hitting a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the final three minutes to give the Falcons the win.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons forced the Sailfish into 19 turnovers throughout the game, converting 18 points off turnovers on Saturday morning.
- Turley scored a game-high 15 points with six rebounds and three assists for the Falcons.
- Grace Leasure scored 10 points and had three rebounds for SPU.
- Rubino tied for a game-high nine rebounds while scoring seven points on Saturday morning.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Turley has scored in double-figures in five of the six games the Falcons have played this season and is averaging 13 points per game this year.
- Rubino had her best rebounding game of the young season with nine on Saturday.
- Mertes also had a season-high in rebounds on Saturday with six.
UP NEXT
The Falcons open Great Northwest Athletic Conference at home next week. SPU hosts Simon Fraser on Wednesday, Dec. 3, before welcoming Western Washington on Friday, Dec. 5. Both games start at 7:00 p.m.
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