Three FSCJ BlueWave freshmen women's basketball players scored in double-figures as the team concluded its pre-Christmas schedule on Monday afternoon in an 78-84 home loss to #24 Eastern Florida.
In the opening minutes of the first quarter, the Bluewave struck first off a drive from freshmen Rhykeria Rolland. FSCJ would get a little careless with the ball and the Titans would capitalize by going on a 9-0 run and force the Bluewave to call timeout early and regroup. The BlueWave would start a run of their own by scoring the next 7 points. Eastern Florida would get hot from behind the arc and close the first quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 25-14 lead. The Bluewave would open the second quarter with some fight and would take advantage off some defensive miscues by Eastern Florida and would outscore the Titans 22-17 to crawl within six point heading into halftime, 36-42.
Second half, the BlueWave would pick up right where they left off to in the second quarter to get within three-points off a steal from sophomore Kayla Bell and lay-up by freshmen Rosa Vreugd. Eastern Florida would turn it back over to the BlueWave and sophomore Joseline Ramos would connect on a deep transition tri-fecta with another assist from sophomore Kayla Bell. The Titans would force FSCJ to call a timeout at the 6:07 mark after going on a run of their own due to turnovers creating a ten point deficit of 51-41. Sophomore Asia Harden would end the drought for the BlueWave by hitting a long-range three from the corner that would lead to a 17-9 third quarter surge sparked by a great defensive effort. FSJC would get within four points making it 62-58 game after being down as much as fifteen in the third quarter. The fourth quarter would get a little tough and saw a chess match being executed between coaches and players. The BlueWave would get as close as within three points, but the Titans would prevail 84-78.
"I'm really excited about how hard we played today. We battled and competed, but most important we showed flashes of how good we can be if we can play a complete 40 min game.", said first year head coach David Lowery. I was very pleased with the freshmen Rhykeria Rolland, Tykedra Rolland, and Mataea Boyd and extremely proud of how everyone never quit and stayed together during the game. As we wrap up for Christmas break, I think we are in a solid place as we go toward the end of 2019."
Freshman Rhykeria Rolland led all scorers with 17 points, Mataea Boyd contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds and Tykedra Rolland dropped 12 points.
The FSCJ BlueWave will head to Daytona Beach, FL Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 30-31 to play in the Daytona State Holiday Classic, opening up against Elite Sports Prep on Monday, Dec. 30 at 4 p.m.