MELBOURNE, Fla.- Florida Tech women's basketball returned home looking to bounce back after a close lose on the road at Palm Beach Atlantic. Sarah Liberatore scored a career high 28 points to lead the Panthers to their first conference win this season.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 81, Embry-Riddle 68
Records: Florida Tech (3-10, 1-8 SSC), Embry-Riddle (7-7, 2-6 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER 

• The Eagles got on the board first with an easy layup.
• The Panthers responded with a 6-0 run to jump out to a 7-4 lead.
• Embry-Riddle was able to tie things up at seven with a deep three pointer.
• Tech had an answer for the Eagles using an 8-0 run capped off by a layup from Sarah Liberatore to grab the lead 15-7.
• The Eagles ended the quarter on a jumper to close the margin to five. 

SECOND QUARTER 

• Embry-Riddle opened the second with back-to-back three pointers.
• Again, the Panthers had an answer for the Eagles with Emily Acampora draining two three pointers to give Tech an 11-point lead with 5:34 to go.
• The Eagles got their offense going with a 4-0 run to put them back within six points.
• A three ball from Tai Roberts followed by another three from Liberatore extended the Panthers lead back to 11.
• Tech headed into the half leading 45-34.
• The Panthers outscored Embry-Riddle 28-22 in the second quarter.

 
THIRD QUARTER

• The scoring was almost even in the third quarter with both teams exchanging baskets at both ends of the court.
• Liberatore hit her third three pointer of the night with 7:42 to go.
• The Eagles answered once again with their own three pointer followed by a layup to cut the Panthers lead to just six.
• Acampora was able to hit a jumper to extend the lead back out to 11.
• Divine Guthrie ended the quarter with a jumper and a free throw to give the Panthers a double digit lead again.
• Embry-Riddle outscored Florida Tech 20-19 in the third quarter.
• Heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers had a 10-point lead 64-54. 

FOURTH QUARTER

• Embry-Riddle quickly cut the Panthers lead to seven when Keturah Balabyekkubo drained a three pointer.
• Liberatore made her fifth three pointer of the night to push Tech's lead back to nine.
• The Eagles battled back with a jumper followed by a free throw to cut the deficit to six.
• With 1:48 to go the Panthers went back up by 13.
• Embry-Riddle responded with a jumper, but Tech would go score the next four points to seal the deal.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Liberatore scored a career high 28 point, five rebounds, and two assists. She was 5-5 from beyond the arc.
• Acampora added 14 points and four assists
• Roberts tallied 10 points, four assists, and one steal.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech is now 7-6 in the all-time series against Embry-Riddle.
• Embry-Riddle shot 43% (27-63) from the field, including 42% (10-24) from beyond the arc and 50% (4-8) at the free throw line.
• The Panthers shot 51% (27-53) from the field, 63% (10-16) from behind the three-point line, and 63% (17-27) from the free-throw line.
• Florida Tech led in bench points (27-4), second chance points (11-7), and bench points (25-18).
• Embry-Riddle led in rebounds (35-31), points in the paint (28-26), and steals (8-3).

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will return home on Wednesday, Jan. 18^th to take on # Eckerd. Tip-off is set for 5:30PM.

For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech women's basketball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.