GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Best Western Gateway Grand Classic concluded on Friday afternoon with the matchup of No. 19 Indian River State College and Santa Fe College women's basketball.

Although the Saints played the Pioneers to the final buzzer, Indian River was able to hold the hosts off to sweep the season series with a 67-62 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The halftime score was 38-31 in favor of IRSC, but the two sides went into the fourth and final quarter tied at 51-51.

SF trailed 63-61 in the final two minutes and missed out on a few chances to tie or take the lead.

The Saints were then forced to play the foul game, and IRSC split a pair of foul shots to extend the lead to 64-61 with 16 seconds to play.

Out of a timeout, the inbounder Selah Reddick got a decent look from beyond the arc but couldn't convert. The Pioneers grabbed the defensive rebound and were fouled once again with 10 seconds left on the clock.

IRSC split another pair, and there simply wasn't enough time left on the clock for the Saints to mount a comeback facing the two-possession deficit, as the guests held on for the 67-62 win.

It was a far more competitive outing than the two sides' meeting in Fort Pierce, but with the loss, SF dropped its third straight game (all against ranked opponents). Indian River extended its winning streak to eight.  

UPDATED RECORDS

Santa Fe – 7-8

#19 Indian River – 15-2

KEY STATISTICS

Full statistics will be made as soon as possible. Malea Brown had 20 points and Joey Delancy 13

Reddick finished with 13 as well, and Isabella Reynolds added nine. 

UP NEXT

The Saints (7-8) now begin Central Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Florida State College at Jacksonville. Tipoff time is set for 2:00 p.m. in Jacksonville.