After four losses, women’s basketball shoots for wins

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Sydney Gomes debates her next move. | Photo courtesy of FSC Athletics

Karl van Gelder
Staff Writer

The women’s basketball team has had an eventful new year with five Sunshine State Conference matchups over the last few weeks. During the stretch the Mocs started off 0-4, with the last three losses all being decided by two possessions, but have now found their first win of 2025 with their win over Saint Leo Jan. 18.

Before the 83-81 win over Saint Leo the Mocs faced off against No. 20 Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale in another down-to-the-wire matchups defined by the Mocs’ defensive presence, but surprisingly lost due to struggles from the free throw line. 

Going into the 69-63 loss the Mocs shot 76.8% from the freethrow line, placing them among the top free throw shooting teams in the nation, but against NSU the Mocs shot just 44% from the charity stripe.

Against NSU, Florida Southern showed incredibly strong stretches of play against the top seed in last year’s conference tournament with multiple players continuing their level of play from previous matchups, like Sarah Lange, who was at the heart of the Mocs early success. 

Lange led the charge defensively and on the glass for the Mocs through the first quarter where the Mocs held NSU to six points, the fewest points they’ve allowed in a quarter since Rollins’ five point third quarter against Florida Southern Feb. 8th 2023.

“The way Sarah has come to play to start the new year has been awesome. Her intensity on defense and her toughness in the paint has given other teams a problem inside,” said Sydney Gomes.

Throughout the game the Mocs were led by the pair of Gomes and Anna Denes who both posted a double-double. Gomes finished with 19 points, 11 boards, and four assists with Denes putting up 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Their efforts just came up short though, as the Mocs offense slowed in the latter portions of the game, something that has been a struggle for Florida Southern in the New Year, despite their extremely strong offense seen throughout the Mocs Christmas Classic to end 2024.

After the loss, the Mocs set their eyes on their next matchup, as they headed just down the road to Saint Leo.

“Fighting through adversity and really focusing on coming together right now will define the remainder of the season,” Sydney Gomes said.

In the matchup against Saint Leo the Mocs looked to battle from the jump as they were without their star player Gomes. The Mocs pounced on Saint Leo early, going on a 10-0 run to start the game thanks to their press creating turnovers and quick looks for the Mocs to get a flow offensively.

As the game progressed Saint Leo showed fight themselves, going toe to toe with the Mocs after the first quarter, making it a game late, but thanks to a 14 point second half from Lily Randgaard, another double-double from Denes and Arriyana Bracero making timely shots the Mocs came out victorious.

“[Bracero’s] ability to get to the rack and finish through contact while also being able to knock down the three from deep has helped propel our offense during pivotal moments of games this year,” Gomes said.

The Mocs look to go back to their winning ways of 2024 as they take on Florida Tech in Melbourne Jan. 25.

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