Lady Pirates Hold Off Indian River

Pensacola State Women's Basketball hosted their annual Lady Pirates Thanksgiving Classic on November 24-25, 2023. Indian River State of the Citrus Conference and Bishop State from the Alabama Community College Conference joined the Lady Pirates to battle over the weekend.

In Friday's matchup, the Lady Pirates survived a thrilling clash with the Lady Pioneers of Indian River State. Pensacola got off to a scorching start connecting 3-point attempts on their first four possessions of the game and claiming an early 12-2 lead at the 7:34 mark in the opening period. Indian River was able to slow down Pensacola State's attack and end the period trailing 21-15. Indian River outscored the Lady Pirates 15-12 in the second stanza and trailed PSC 30-33 at halftime.

The intense back and forth action continued in the second half of play as both teams would score 35 points each in the final two periods. The Lady Pioneers took their first lead of the game at 56-55 with 4:16 remaining in the contest.

Audreonia Benson converted two free throws with 3:14 remaining to help Pensacola State reclaim the lead at 57-56. On the following possession, Jasmine Peaks knocked down a 3-pointer to give Indian River a 59-57 advantage. Tanita Swift added two more free throws for Pensacola to tie the game at 59-59. D'yanna Maxey connected on one of two free throws to put Indian River up 60-59 just before Swift finished a driving basket to put the Lady Pirates back ahead 61-60 with 1:33 left to play.

Mo'Nique Joseph scored Indian River's final bucket at 1:09, giving the Lady Pioneers the lead at 62-61. Swift again was able to convert another contested basket with 11.8 seconds remaining to give the Lady Pirates a 63-62 edge. Benson would steal the Indian River inbound attempt on the opposite end and rush up the court before being fouled by Peaks. Benson successfully completed two free throw attempts with 4.3 seconds remaining to extend the Pensacola State lead to 65-62. A desperation half court attempt from Jordan Boddie was off the mark allowing the Lady Pirates to secure another win.

Swift lead all scorers with 20 points. Benson had another solid outing adding 15 points to go along with four steals. Gabriela Bendeck-Giron finished with 12 points while Jaida McDonald chipped in eight points with 11 rebounds. Brialle Washington led Indian River in scoring with 14 while Boddie added 11 points.

On Saturday, the Bishop State Lady Wildcats fell 64-74 to the Lady Pioneers of Indian River. Jasmine Peaks led all scorers with 23 points for Indian River while Jordan Boddie and Kailyn Peters each added 15. Bishop State was led in scoring behind Jamirica Roberson's 20 points. Unique Bowie added 17 points for the Lady Wildcats.

The Pensacola State women will host Mississippi Gulf Coast at Hartsell Arena on November 28, 2023 with a 5:30 tip-off time.