TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough Hawks and Santa Fe College women's basketball tipped off for the fourth time this season on Tuesday evening, and the Saints came away with a 76-72 victory, executing down the stretch in the road win.

SF took the season series over Hillsborough 3-1, and avenged its lone loss in the Florida College Shootout on Dec. 3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The hosts came out to a 7-3 lead, but Malea Brown's fast offensive start helped the Saints in the early going. Just like the last meeting between the two teams, it was a fast-paced opening quarter.

SF led 28-21 after a Joey Delancy bucket in the paint beat the first quarter buzzer. The Saints knocked down four triples in the frame, with three of them coming from Brown. The guard had 11 points after the game's opening ten minutes, and Triniti Youngblood added 10 of her own.

The game featured seven ties in the first half of play, and each team seemed to go on spurts to counter one another.

HCC netted the second quarter's first seven points to tie it, but a three-pointer from Selah Reddick halted the run.

The score was tied at 40-40 when the next four points went to the Saints, but the Hawks ended the half with a last-second basket in the paint to go into the break within a single possession, 44-42.

Once again the Hawks started a quarter strongly in the third, and staked claim to a six-point lead, 50-44, with the first eight points of the second half.

SF countered with an 11-2 run to go back in front 55-52, with five points coming from Khalea Douglas during the stretch of play.Headed into the fourth quarter, however, HCC led by one, 59-58.

The lead would change hands back to the Saints at the start of the fourth quarter, then was tied for the 11th time at 66-66 with about 4:49 still to play after a Hawks' long ball.

After a Youngblood basket and two free-throws from Brown, SF possessed a four-point advantage, but the small cushion didn't last long when the Hawks found the bottom of the net once again with a triple.

The SF offense was executing well in the clutch moments though, and the Saints were able to push the edge to four points after a Youngblood second chance basket with the clock approaching the final minute.

Hillsborough found an uncontested layup to trim it to two, 74-72, with 40 seconds remaining.

The Saints called a timeout to try and get the shot they wanted, and it was Reddick who delivered with a slashing, smooth lay-in from the right side with just ten seconds remaining to make it 76-72.

Hillsborough was unable to score in desperation as the clock ran out, and the Saints earned win No. 7 of the 2022-2023 season.

UPDATED RECORDS

Santa Fe – 7-5

Hillsborough – 3-11

KEY STATISTICS

SF dominated on the glass, 57-38, and had 21 offensive rebounds to create second-chance opportunities.

Paint points were also 42-28 in favor of SF.

20 of the Saints' 30 baskets came off assists.

SF went 10-of-12 from the free-throw line to make the most of their attempts from the charity stripe.

Youngblood was excellent on her way to her first double-double as a Saint, contributing team-highs in points (20) and rebounds (11).

Brown had a double-double of her own with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and a team-high seven assists. Dating back to the 2021-2022 season, Brown has now scored in double-digits in 19 straight games.

Reddick finished with 18 points and five rebounds, helping to preserve the win with the final basket.

UP NEXT

The Saints (7-5) will travel to No. 19 Indian River State College (10-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Fort Pierce, Fla.