Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) women's basketball opens up the new year at home in a heartbreaking loss to Hillsborough Community College.
This is the second time the BlueWave and the Hawks met this season, with the first being at the JUCO Shootout at Santa Fe Community College, where FSCJ fell to Hillsborough 68-51.
In this rematch, Hillsborough controlled from the tipoff but FSCJ answered back going head-to-head for the first few minutes of the game. With two quick fouls committed by Ameera Thomas and Jaiden Ross, the momentum shifted in Hillsborough's favor. The Hawks took advantage and went on a 9-2 run in the final minutes of the first quarter which extended their lead to 22-13.
Hillsborough came out of the gate scoring the first bucket of the second quarter, but that didn't stop the BlueWave from being sparked by a bucket and a steal from M'Kayla Patterson. FSCJ then went on a 15-5 run led by M'Kayla Patterson and Avery Cannon as they both combined for six three-pointers to finish the second quarter. Fighting back the first quarter deficiet, the BlueWave headed into the locker in control 40-33.
The beginning of the third quarter, Hillsborough hits a three-point shot sending a message to FSCJ and cutting the lead to 4. Patterson then answered with back-to-back three-pointers, both with an assist from Johanna Bell. Despite that, the Hawks fought back with a 16-20 run on FSCJ to bring the quarter score to 56-53 to close the gap.
The FSCJ came out in the fourth quarter with a quick steal but was unable to convert. The Hawks answered with a steal and a bucket to make it a one-point game. With momentum in their favor and FSCJ in foul trouble, the Hawks were able to take control of the game and take the lead. The BlueWave stayed neck and neck with HCC and despite Avery Cannon three at the end of the fourth quarter the 20-17 run was too much for FSCJ to -recover from. Hillbrough Community College would go on to win the game 70-68.
In spite of the loss, the BlueWave ended the game with 11 three-pointers. The highest combined number recorded in close to a decade. M'Kayla Patterson led the game with 24 points and a career-high six three-pointers, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Avery Cannon also notched her career-high 17 points with four three-pointers, three rebounds, and two steals.
The team ends non-conference play with a record of 4-11. They will open up conference play this Saturday hosting Santa Fe College. The women play at 2:00pm and the men follow at 4:00pm.