Gulf Coast Uses Big Second Half Run to Slide Past Saints, 87-79
December 31, 2012
SF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL – 12/30/2012
Ocala, FL – The Santa Fe Saints and Gulf Coast State College Commodores battled it out on Sunday night in the final game of the SF Holiday Classic in Ocala and a second half run was the difference in a 87-79 GCSC victory.
"I was happy with how hard our kids played tonight," said SF Coach Chanda Stebbins. "We missed some shots we normally make and lost the transition battle but overall did a nice job competing against a very good team."
The first half was back and forth and included leads of six points by both teams and eight ties. A jumper by Melinda Brimfield with three seconds remaining gave the Commodores a 45-40 lead and the momentum heading into the locker room.
Gulf Coast took control early in the second half, pushing the lead out to 56-46 five minutes in thanks to eight points by Necole Sterling and some easy transition buckets.
The Saints didn't give in and managed to cut the lead to 68-65 on a put back layup by Tiara Thompson on her own three point miss. A three pointer by Aissata Magia and back to back jumpers by Melinda Brimfield cut short the Santa Fe rally and again made the lead double digits.
A three pointer by Tiara Thompson would get the Saints within five with just over a minute to go but they would get no closer as a layup and a free throw by the Commodores accounted for the final margin.
Paulina Zaveckaite finished with yet another double double, her eleventh on the season, scoring 10 points to go with 15 rebounds. She now has double digit rebounds in every game but one this season.
Tiara Thompson also recorded a double double, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Monique Bunk had 18 points and four assists and Lonna Turner scored 10 points and dished out four assists. Tamara Taylor led the Commodores with 21 points.
"I think we improved over the last three days," said Stebbins. "This was great preparation for us going in to Mid-Florida Conference play next month."
The Saints next game is on the road Saturday, January 5 against MFC rival Florida State College-Jacksonville at 4:00 PM.
For complete schedules and more information on Saints Women's Basketball, please visit santafesaints.com. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.
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