Titan Women Prevail Over Palm Beach State in Overtime

Eastern Florida's women's basketball team improved to 10-1 in the FCSAA Southern Conference on Saturday with an 88-81 overtime victory at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth.

The defending conference champion Titans maintained their hold on first place and improved to 17-8 overall. Palm Beach fell to 4-7 and 13-12.

Sophomores and backcourt mates Nene Johnson and Paola Vasquez led Eastern Florida with 23 points apiece. Johnson had seven assists. Freshman Trudy Walker grabbed 10 rebounds.

Broward College sits second in conference, beginning the day at 8-2. The Titans have beaten Broward twice this season to earn the tiebreaker should the teams finish with identical conference records.

The top two conference finishers advance to the NJCAA Region 8/FCSAA Tournament.

The Titans return to action on Tuesday at conference foe St. Petersburg College. Four conference games remain.

"It was a tough win today," said Eastern Florida head coach Jim Grimes. "I have so much respect for Coach (Kris) Ruffo and Palm Beach State. Any time you can get a win there, you have to be pleased. We reacted very well to adversity late in the game and that is what I am most proud of.

"Paola got us off to a great start and hit some incredible shots. Nene took over the game late and showed why she is one of the best players in the country."