MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women's Basketball) - Julie McCarthy led three Panthers in double-figures and Florida Tech controlled the ball game against Sunshine State Conference foe Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, defeating the Sailfish 56-46 on Senior Day at the Clemente Center.

McCarthy, a senior, also hauled in 11 rebounds to complete the double-double in her final regular season home game. Markeema Crawford added 11 points, three boards and three steals. Gudlaug Juliusdottir recorded 10 points, five assists and five rebounds and DeLise Williams did a little bit of everything, finishing with six points, four boards, four steals and three assists.

Florida Tech (37.9 percent) outshot PBA (25.5 percent) in the game and finished with more rebounds, 44-32. FIT also dominated in points in the paint, ending with a 28-6 disparity.

The Panthers dominated the opening quarter against the Sailfish. Florida Tech forced PBA into seven first quarter turnovers and took a 17-8 advantage into the second period. McCarthy led the way for FIT recording seven points and four rebounds, while Williams tallied six points.

FIT increased its lead to as much as 15 points, 33-18, on a trey by Amanda Allen with 1:49 remaining in the half. However, PBA fought its way back and cut the margin to five, 33-28, just before the break on a four-point play by Hannah Grim with .01 left on the clock.

The teams exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter. The Panthers grabbed a 46-37 lead on a three-point basket by Michaela Gelbaugh with 1:58 remaining but Grim answered with a three-pointer of her own to cut deficit to six with 21 seconds left. 

Crawford increased FIT's lead to 52-42 with 6:42 to go in the contest and from there the Panthers cruised the rest of the way for their eighth victory in conference play. 

Florida Tech earned the No. 6 seed in next week's SSC Women's Basketball Tournament and will now prepare for its First Round game against No. 3 seed Rollins on Wednesday, Mar. 1, at 5:30 p.m. ET in Winter Park, Florida.