NJCAA 8th ranked Pensacola State used a strong second half effort to hold off a Mississippi Gulf Coast upset attempt.
The Lady Bulldogs played almost evenly with the Lady Pirates in the first half and trailed just 31-33 at intermission.
After the break, Pensacola State outscored Mississippi Gulf Coast 20-12 to build a 53-43 lead by the end third quarter.
Audreonia Benson erupted for 14 of her game-high 22 points in the final period. After early struggles to eliminate easy Mississippi Gulf Coast scores, the Pensacola defense held the Lady Bulldogs to just nine points in the quarter to clinch the 74-52 victory.
Jaida McDonald recorded her second double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Gabriela Bendeck-Giron and Tanita Swift added 15 and 13 points respectfully.
Simaru Fields was the lone Lady Bulldog in double figures with 20 points.
The Pensacola State women move to 8-0 on the season with the win. The Lady Pirates travel to St. Petersburg, Florida this weekend to compete in the St. Petersburg Classic on December 1-2, 2023.