MELBOURNE, Fla. - On Wednesday night at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center, Florida Tech (2-3 SSC 1-1) had five Panthers score in double digits to power past Lynn (2-5 SSC 0-3) 79-73 during the seasons home opener.

Leading the Panthers offense, Tanease Richardson shot 6-for-8 from the field to score 13 points, followed by four boards and three assists during the night outing. On the year, the Ft. Lauderdale native has recorded 58 minutes played for a 12-for-23 performance that puts her amongst the top performers inside the Panthers lineup with a .522 shooting percentage.

Just behind the sophomore center, Gracie Doane cashed in for another 13 points, nailing 3-of-5 3-pointers followed by additional buckets from the field. Shooting lights out on the evening, Kailyn Ebb, a senior forward from Accokee, Maryland shot 83 percent for 10 points, seven rebounds and one steal. 

Additional Panthers the scored in double digits were Markeema Crawford with 11 and Tereza Sedlakova with 10, who also had eight boards to wrap up the night effort.

As a team, Florida Tech posted 42 to rebounds to Lynn's 27 and outshot the Ft. Lauderdale squad 50.9 to 40.3 percent from the field. 

Opening the first period, the Panthers reached the scoreboard on to back-to-back free throws by Crawford. Contesting however, a good layup and jumper saw Lynn take a 4-2 lead before Florida Tech started a 13-point uncontested run that stretched to the 3-minute mark. Now leading 15-4, FIT only allowed the Fighting knights to score seven more points before heading into the second period up 22-11. 

Throughout the second quarter, Florida Tech was able to generate four second chance opportunities and had 17 points come of its bench. Although Lynn managed to score 14 point inside the paint, 10 turnovers allowed the Panthers to hold the 15-point lead at the intermission. 

Trying to narrow the gap coming out of the half, Lynn slowly brought the deficit to 10 over the course of the third period. The Fighting Knights outscored FIT 17-12 on a 5-for-12 effort from the field and a 7-for-9 effort from the line. However, 12 rebounds and 10 bench points kept FIT at distance entering the fourth ahead 59-49. 

Rolling into the fourth during the first four minutes of play, the Panthers expanded their lead to 14 off consecutive jumpers by Ebb. From there, Florida Tech saw another unanswered run from the 6:06 mark until the 3:27 mark, before the Boca based lineup scored three back-to-back buckets off their own to bring the score to 71-60. During the final minute of play within a 30-second span, Lynn managed to hold FIT scoreless, while scoring five baskets to close the deficit, 74-67. However, offensive efforts from Crawford and Gudlaug Juliusdottir allowed the Panthers to walk away with the win, 79-73.

FIT hits the hardwood this Saturday for its Autism Awareness game against conference opponent Eckerd. Following the women's contest, Florida Tech will recognize several amazing kids from the Scott's Center for Autism Treatment with a ceremony at the halftime of the men's basketball game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET!