WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Women's Basketball) – Julie McCarthy scored 25 points and Florida Tech had 4th-ranked Bellarmine on the ropes late in the game but the Panthers' upset bid fell just shy as they were defeated by the Knights 68-61 Sunday at the Palm Beach Atlantic Holiday Hoops Classic.
 
McCarthy added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double while making an impressive 15-of-17 from the charity stripe in the loss. Shequana Harris also had a strong outing from the line (7-of-8) and finished with 18 points, five boards, five assists and four steals. However, no other Panther scored more than four points in the game.
 
Three different Knights notched double-figures, led by Sarah Galvin's 16 points and 11 rebounds. Raven Merriweather and Whitney Hartlage added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
 
Florida Tech started the game strong and led 7-0 at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter. However, the rest of the quarter was all Bellarmine as they outscored the Panthers 22-2 to take an 11 point advantage into the second.
 
A layup by Gracie Doane cut FIT's deficit to six with 47 seconds remaining in the half but a late three-pointer by BU's Mikayla Berry gave the Knights a 35-26 edge heading into halftime.
 
The Panthers opened the third quarter on a 9-1 run and came within one of BU, 35-36, at the 6:51 mark. The Knights would answer with an 8-0 barrage of their own to extend their lead back to nine. A pair of free throws by Harris cut the deficit to 46-53 as the teams went into the fourth.
 
Consecutive makes at the line by McCarthy brought FIT to within three, 61-64, with 2:14 remaining. However, the Panthers would miss their final four shots of the game and the Knights would add several points from the line before eventually escaping with the seven-point victory.
 
Florida Tech closes out the Holiday Hoops Classic on Monday against Shaw at 12:30 p.m. ET. Jerry Durney will be on the call from Rubin Arena. Links to live coverage can be accessed at FloridaTechSports.com.