TAMPA, Fla. – Capping off the Tampa Classic on Tuesday afternoon, Florida Tech (5-5) sparked on the hardwood of the Bob Martinez Athletics Center, as the Panthers powered their way past the Southern Wesleyan Warriors (1-7) with a four-quarter long lead to clinch its fifth seasonal win, 87-51.

Florida Tech shot 51.4 percent (37-of-72) from the field to outscore SWU 48-14 in the paint, and boasted an impressive 42 points from the bench. The Crimson and Gray held the Warriors to just 33.3 percent (16-of-48) from the field goal mark, and turned 21 Warriors turnovers into 22 points. Additionally, FIT edged Southern Wesleyan in boards with an overwhelming 53-to-23 performance, while holding a 16-10 advantage in steals.

Running the Florida Tech offense, DeLise Williams tallied a game-best 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting presentation that included 1-of-3 at the free throw line in 36 minutes of action. Defensively, the senior guard notched a game-high six steals to go with seven rebounds.

Joining in double-digit scoring, junior Tereza Sedlakova sank 14 points that coupled with three rebounds and two steals. Adding 13 points to the Panthers total, junior Gracie Doane tallied a 3-for-7 effort from behind the arc and a 4-for-9 hustle from the floor in just nine minutes of play.

Just shy of a double-double, sophomore Gudlaug Juliusdottir recorded a game-high nine boards and nine points on a 3-for-5 shooting effort. The guard also registered a season-best five assists, bringing her seasonal total to 10.

The Panthers jumped out to an early 9-4 run before utilizing an 11-point streak and an 8-0 spurt in the final minute of play to extend their lead to 20-10 at the end of the first period of action. During the initial stanza, Florida Techs defense forced four turnovers and held Southern Wesleyan to just 5-of-16 shooting, including 0-for-2 from behind the arc.
 
A Warriors layup cut the Crimson and Gray lead to single-digits at the 8:49 mark in the second period. However, the Panthers responded with a 12-3 run over the next four minutes, fueled by 10 points from Sedlakova and Williams combined. With 37 ticks remaining in the first half, Tenease Richardson drained the two final points for FIT, who headed into the break with a 44-31 lead. 

Florida Tech was 19-of-35 (53.95 percent) in the opening half and outscored the Warriors in the paint by a 26-12 margin. Additionally, FIT held the SWU to a 44.8 shooting percentage (12-of-28) and forced seven turnovers.

Returning from halftime, the Panthers continued to stretch the lead in the third quarter, using a 17-8 run to open a 20-point lead, 59-39 at the 6:01 mark. In the last 19 seconds of action, the Warriors knocked down two consecutive baskets from the line to cut the Crimson and Gray stretch, 74-44. 

In the final frame, the Crimson and Gray allowed Southern Wesleyan only seven points, as Florida Tech forced seven more turnovers and amassed five steals. Florida Tech dominated for the entire time, as they ceased the SWU offense with a 13-7 run to wrap up the game, 87-51.

Florida Tech will now return to the Clemente Center on Saturday, Dec. 30, for a SSC game against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET.