FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic women's basketball team faced off with Purdue Northwest in a neutral site showdown a day after Thanksgiving. The Sailfish took the lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to lead throughout in a 65-52 victory to take their record to 2-1 on the season.

The Sailfish got off to a quick start offensively in the opening quarter as they shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 20 points. Jahnae Midget did most of the heavy lifting as she scored seven in the opening ten minutes of play. Darria Whitley chipped in with an early five and Kash Ayuso hit one of PBA's three shots from downtown. A late 7-0 PBA run had the 'Fish led 20-17 after the first. 

Both sides cooled off offensively as the defenses cranked up their level of intensity. Each side went 4-of-14 from the field but the Sailfish got production from their bench as Ashleigh Boulin made her season debut as she scored four of her ten points in the second and Mariyah Fletcher added four as well. It was a clean first half from a turnover perspective as PBA had just five giveaways which resulted in a 33-28 lead at the half.

The defensive slugfest continued in the third quarter as the teams combined for 16 points. PBA came out on top in the frame outscoring the Pride 10-6. Alma Danielsson led the 'Fish with four as each team shot under 20 percent from the floor but PBA built on their lead.

The offenses came back to life in crunch time in the final quarter and it was Ayuso who came up clutch for PBA. She scored nine of her game-high 16 points as she finished the game 6-for-10 from the field and pulled down eight rebounds. A quick 5-0 run early from the Pride brought PBA's lead down to four points but the Sailfish were able to answer and hold them off with a 22-point quarter to earn the victory. 

It was a balanced attack from the Sailfish as Ayuso (16), Midget (13), and Boulin (10) all finished in double-figures for the Sailfish to lead them offensively. Danielsson added nine while Whitley scored seven as PBA shot 40 percent from the field and were 4-of-12 from three. PBA won the rebounding and turnover battle as Fletcher led PBA with nine rebounds while Ayuso was second with eight. 

The Sailfish have a quick turnaround as they take the court again tomorrow at 2 pm against Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles are 1-5 on the season and fell today to hosts Nova Southeastern.