Gulf Coast Downs Northwest Florida Women in Conference Opener

NICEVILLE, Fla. – The fourth-ranked Northwest Florida women's basketball team fell to No. 1 Gulf Coast, 78-66, in Raider Arena Saturday to open Panhandle Conference play.

The Raider (15-2) got double-digit scoring performances from three players led by Chanaya Pinto, who finished with 19 points. Fapou Semebene and Rayven Peeples added 17 points each. Peeples finished with a team-high nine rebounds.

Gulf Coast (14-0) shot over 50 percent for the entirety of the game ending 27-for-53 from the field. Ahlana Smith scored a game-high 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Lya Farcy and Naomi Mbandu had 17 points each.

The Raiders are back in action Jan. 8 when the team travels to face Chipola in Marianna, Fla.

For more information on Northwest Florida athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow us on Twitter at @NWF_Raiders.