Late-Game Push Gives Daytona State Win Over BlueWave

The Florida State College at Jacksonville women's basketball team were ready to battle a tough Daytona State College (DSC) team on their home court Saturday. The Falcons of DSC had a slow start to the game and the BlueWave took advantage. FSCJ opened the game with a baseline drive from freshmen Tykedra Rolland that resulted in her connecting on two free throws to put the BlueWave on the board first.  The first quarter would be a back and forth battle ending in a 13-13 tie.

The BlueWave opened the second quarter with a lay-up from sophomore Valicia Demeritte via an assist from sophomore Joseline Ramos to give FSCJ the early lead 15-13.  A lay-up by Jayde Johnson would give FSCJ a 4-0 start over Daytona forcing the Falcons to call a timeout.  Freshmen Tykedra Rolland would continue to keep the BlueWave rolling as she hit a trail transition three from the top.  FSCJ would enjoy a 9-5 run to pace through the second quarter giving them the 31-29 lead over the Falcons going into halftime. 

The Falcons would open the third quarter with a defensive change-up that would force the BlueWave to turn the ball over multiple times resulting in a 6-0 run by Daytona. A BlueWave timeout would be called after Daytona State mounted a 38-32 lead with 6:19 left in the quarter.  Daytona's post player would dictate the third quarter by dominating the boards and owning the floor in transition.  The Falcons would lead by as many as nine until a corner three point make by BlueWave freshmen Rosa Vreugd would end Daytona's run at the 4:50 mark.  A reverse lay-up off the baseline from freshmen Tykedra Rolland would get the BlueWave within one and a corner three point make by sophomore Danika Hamilton would close the gap to within 1 with under a minute left in the third quarter. The final bucket of the third would be a floater in the paint by sophomore Valicia Demeritte and FSCJ would close the quarter on a 7-1 to tie it up 47-47.  

The fourth quarter was filled with the same pace and adrenaline as the previous three quarters as a three-point attempt by freshmen Rhykeria Rolland caught DSC by surprise and she would fouled. Rolland headed to the line where she would connect 2-3 to tie the game again at 49-49. The BlueWave would take a 53-49 lead off a transition three from freshmen Rhykeria Rolland with an assist from freshmen Bryana Henderson. FSCJ would go stagnant offensively for a 2 minute span, but an offensive rebound put back by freshmen Bryana Henderson would tie the game back up at 57-57 with 3:15 left. Daytona would immediately follow with a layup to go back up 59-57 with under three minutes to go. FSCJ down two with 1:40 left in the game, sophomore Valicia Demeritte would tie the game at 61-61 with 1:24 left in the game forcing Daytona to call a timeout. The Falcons would come out of the huddle and score the go ahead bucket to take a 63-61 lead initiating the fouling game for the BlueWave. After a very hard fought battle FSCJ would let a tough one slip away, 69-62.