JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida State College at Jacksonville defeated Palm Beach State College in Saturday's regular season finale, but the Panthers took two of three regular season meetings to claim the FCSAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship.

Palm Beach State locked up the FCSAA Championship and berth in the NJCAA DII Gulf South District Championship Game by defeating the Manta Rays on January 24 (64-57) and February 14 (68-63) which rendered Saturday's third meeting meaningless from a postseason standpoint. That didn't deter the Manta Rays, however. 

After some early back-and-forth action, FSCJ surged to a 20-9 lead after one quarter and led 31-24 at the intermission. 

Nyeemah Dixon led the Manta Rays with 17 points while Leandrea McCloud recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. 

FCSAA Player of the Year Janiah Suprius led all scorers with 21 points for Palm Beach State. Thatiyana Holiday added 11 and Adrianna Skraban, 10.

Palm Beach State's Maureen Smith was named FCSAA DII Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. 

The Panthers will head to Bay Minette, Ala., for a March 7 game against Chattahoochee Valley (Ala.) Community College. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. eastern.