LAKE WORTH, Fla. – The No. 8 Parkland College women's basketball team lost its first game of 2024 72-69 versus No. 10 Union County College on Friday, January 5, at the Palm Beach State College New Year's Classic. The Cobras (11-2) led in the first half against the Owls (11-2), but a big second-half run from Union proved too much for Parkland in its second loss of the season. Sophomore Alyssa Cole led the team in scoring with 29 points in the loss.
 
"We played a very athletic team in Union, and it's hard to beat a team that is athletic and able to shoot the ball when we are not making shots and turning it over," head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the loss. "Overall, I felt that our team played good defense, and I'm proud of our team for competing against a very athletic team."
 
Union County led 7-2 early in the first quarter, but Parkland bounced back with a 15-4 run to take a 17-11 lead. The Owls tightened the game to 21-20 with 7:02 left in the first half, but another run from the Cobras put Parkland up 33-25. Union County closed the second quarter on a 9-2 run to close the deficit to 35-34 at halftime. The Cobras extended their lead in the third quarter, leading 41-36 with 7:12 until the fourth, but the Owls turned up the pressure and started forcing turnovers, tying the game at 48-48 with 4:02 remaining in the third. Union County led 57-52 going into the fourth quarter, and the Owls maintained a lead throughout, but a late Parkland run trimmed the deficit to 72-69 by the final buzzer.
 
Statistical Overview:
Alyssa Cole: 29 points, 9-10 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Siarah Brown: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Megan Janson: 9 points, 4 assists
Rylea Johnson: 7 points, 8 rebounds
 
Up next, Parkland closes out its time at the PBSC New Year's Classic with a game against the hosts, No. 19 Palm Beach State College, tomorrow, January 6. Tip-off versus the Panthers (14-3) is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday.