Women's basketball team sets program record with win over Florida Southwestern

The No. 22 Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team ended the regular season with a big win over No. 9 Florida Southwestern State College Saturday at Titan Field House.

The Titans picked up their 23^rd win of the season which is a program record for regular season wins as they defeated Florida Southwestern 81-69 to finish the Suncoast Conference 7-2. They have advanced to the FCSAA State Tournament which begins March 5 at Northwest Florida State College.

Eastern Florida State College got out to a fast start against the Bucs, going on a 10-0 run in a two-minute span and finished with 29 points in the first quarter. The duo of Milan Schimmel and Jacquelyn Levay combined for 15 points, outscoring Florida Southwestern who finished the quarter with 12 points.

They would extend the lead to as many as 22 points on an Alana Pinder basket in the second quarter and went into halftime leading 46-24.

Florida Southwestern came out of the locker room and went on a 6-0 run but Levay hit another 3-pointer to end the run and keep the Titans lead in double digits.

The Titans headed to the fourth quarter with a 15-point lead and it looked like it would get much closer early in the fourth quarter but Sara Solyom came off the bench and hit a shot as the shot clock was expiring, then hit a 3-pointer and two free throws over a two-minute span to give the Titans a 17-point lead once again.

The Bucs made three more free throws than the Titans took but the Titans contested shots and held Florida Southwestern to 34 percent from the floor.

The Titans snapped the Bucs 12-game win streak and handed Florida Southwestern their first conference loss in 715 days.

"Today was a team effort and a testament to a season's worth of hard work by everyone. I am very proud of our season and our sophomores for being the foundation of earning the most wins in a regular season," Eastern Florida State College women's basketball coach MJ Baker said. "We persevered through injuries and adversity with toughness, heart and hustle. And, as I tell my team regularly: Love never fails. It was this love and trust we had for each other along with some very special basketball players that helped us achieve what we have so far. Thankfully, our season has earned a bid to compete in the Region 8 Tournament and we are ready to seize this opportunity for Eastern Florida."

Schimmel finished with 18 points while Levay and Skye Williams each had 14. Levay also grabbed 10 rebounds in the contest. After the game, the team honored their nine sophomores who played their final game at Titan Field House. 

Both teams will compete in the state tournament March 5 at Northwest Florida State College.