GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe College women's basketball got off to a slow start against visiting St. Petersburg (18-7, 6-1 Central) on Wednesday evening, and the Titans led the whole way to beat the Saints in Central Conference play, 78-55.

HOW IT HAPPENED

St. Petersburg scored the game's first ten points and led 23-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The Saints had eight first quarter turnovers hurting their cause.

A free-throw early in the second quarter by Triniti Youngblood brought the deficit to just six points, 23-17, but SPC responded right back and didn't let the Saints get any closer.

The guests held a 43-31 lead at the half. Malea Brown had 13 first-half points to help keep SF within striking distance.

The Titans, however, extended their lead by outscoring SF 18-11 in the third quarter. Santa Fe had no answer for Jaylen Ponder in the frame, who netted eight points.

The Saints faced the 19-point deficit headed into the game's final ten minutes of play, and the Titans cruised to the 23-point victory inside the SF Gymnasium.

KEY STATISTICS

The Saints were outrebounded 57-36, and St. Petersburg had four players reach double-digit scoring in the Titans' second win over SF so far this season.

18 points for St. Petersburg came from the free-throw line compared to just seven for the Saints. SF struggled shooting from beyond the arc, hitting just 2-of-21 from deep.

Brown finished with a team-high 17 points. Selah Reddick had an efficient 15 on 7-of-12 from the field, while Joey Delancy (nine points, eight rebounds) and Youngblood (seven points, seven rebounds) made noteworthy contributions as well.

UP NEXT

The Saints (10-13, 2-5 Central) are off until next Wednesday, Feb. 8 at home against Daytona State College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.