TAMPA, Fla. - On Monday afternoon, Florida Tech (4-5) opened up the Tampa Classic with a narrow 55-50 loss to Malone University (3-4), after holding a 35-minute lead that stretched until the final quarter at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

The Panthers defense turned over the Pioneers early and often, accounting for 14 points off 31 turnovers to end the game with a 31-29 edge in rebounds over Malone. The Crimson and Gray held an 11-7 advantage in assists over the Pioneers, and bested the Canton, Ohio lineup 12-to-5 in steals. 

Cumulatively, FIT shot 42 percent from the floor (21-of-50), 38 percent from behind the arc (3-of-8), and 56 percent from the line (5-of-9). Additionally, the Panthers notched a game-best 32 points from the paint over Malone's eight.

Running the offense, senior DeLise Williams accumulated 13 points off a 4-for-13 hustle from the floor and a 4-for-4 effort from the line. The guard also totaled three rebounds, two assists and three steals. 
Joining in double-digit scoring, sophomore Gudlaug Juliusdottir sank 10 points on a 5-for-8 free-throw shooting effort. The guard held a team-high four steals and five assists, while counting four boards during the afternoon outing.
 
Draining eight points, Kailyn Ebb led FIT in rebounds (9), which marked a team-best among the Melbourne lineup. Junior Michaela Gelbaugh and sophomore Aniquah Swan provided a spark off the bench, tallying six and five points respectively while combining for five rebounds.

During the first half, Florida Tech held a stingy defense that forced 11 turnovers, seven steals and restrained the Pioneers to a 56.2 shooting percentage. Offensively, the Panthers were hot with the shot, as the team recorded an impressive 70.7 field goal average. After closing the first period up by two, FIT opened up the second stanza with a 10-4 run and registered the largest lead of the game, as the Crimson and Gray put the Pioneers behind by 13 points to enter the half ahead, 37-29.

Returning from intermission, Malone closed the gap in the third quarter to take an 11-9 advantage over Florida Tech to bring the score, 46-40. The Pioneers notched a 100 shooting percentage (6-of-6) in free throws and held FIT to 23 percent shooting from the floor. In the final frame, Malone tied things up at the 5-minute mark and took the lead 50-46, after draining two consecutive baskets. Down by four, Juliusdottir found the paint to close the Pioneers stretch, 50-48 and tied the score for FIT at the 1:51 minute-mark. However, the Pioneers held FIT scoreless in the remaining minute of action and took a five-point streak to close the game, 55-50.

Tomorrow, Florida Tech will face the Southern Wesleyan Warriors to wrap up the Tampa Classic. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET.

For live coverage of the event, fans can access FloridaTechSports.com!