Women's basketball team edges St. Petersburg on the road

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team hit some big shots down the stretch, beating St. Petersburg College to keep postseason hopes alive.

Ofir Parpara hit a tough shot in the paint with seven seconds left to give the Titans a 59-57 lead and the defense made it stand on the road Saturday.

The Titans got off to a fast start in the first quarter, taking an 8-2 lead and led throughout the first half, taking a 26-21 lead into halftime.

St. Petersburg College went on a run in the third quarter, scoring 20 points in the quarter and led by seven heading into the fourth quarter. The lead reached 10 early in the fourth before a big 3-pointer by Angela Mirkovic spurred a Titans run.

Parpara hit a 3-pointer that tied the game 50-50 and then down three, Shadia Lara Santacruz had a steal and a basket with 1:15 left. Mirkovic stepped up again, knocking down another 3-pointer to give the Titans a 57-55 lead. But St. Petersburg would tie the game on a couple of free throws setting up Parpara's game-winning shot.

The Titans defense held St. Petersburg without a good look to come away with the win.

Parpara finished with 18 points while Mirkovic had 13 and Santacruz added 11.

Eastern Florida State College finishes the season 7-11 in the Citrus Conference with the win and are a half game out of fourth place in the conference with Hillsborough Community College who is 7-10 and head to Daytona State College on Monday.