MELBOURNE, Fla.- The Panthers were back in Melbourne for another SSC matchup with the Saint Leo Lions. At the half, Florida Tech led by six, but in the second half the momentum shifted to the Lions. Saint Leo outscored the Panthers 45-26 in the second half and they would complete the comeback.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 55, Saint Leo 68
Records: Florida Tech (3-13, 1-11 SSC), Saint Leo (10-10, 3-9 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER 

• Saint Leo grabbed a quick 4-0 lead with a jumper by Alex Button followed by a layup from Amanda Ulrich.
• Florida Tech's leading scorer Tai Roberts got the Panthers going with a fastbreak layup. Aiste Vaitekunaite hustled down the court for a layup to tie things up at four a piece.
• A foul by the Lions sent Lina Stranger-Johannessen to the free throw line where she made both of her free throws to pull the Panthers within one 10-9 with 46 seconds to go in the quarter.
• A layup from the Lions put them ahead by one at the end of the first.

SECOND QUARTER 

• The Panthers got going with a 5-0 run to come within two with 7:48 to go.
• The Lions ended Tech's run with a jumper to tie things up at 15.
• Florida Tech had an answer for the Lions as Acampora hit back-to-back three pointers to cap off an 8-0 run for the Panthers and give them a seven-point lead.
• Saint Leo headed to the free throw line with 0:37 seconds to go and cut the margin to six.
• At the half, the Panthers led 29-23.

THIRD QUARTER

• Remingtyn Smith extended Tech's lead to eight with a jumper.  
• The Lions found some momentum exploding for six straight points to even the score at 34 with 4:47 to go.
• Dalma Ehmann was aggressive under the basket finding her way to the rim for a layup to extend Tech's lead to two.
• A foul on the other end by Ehmann sent the Lions to the line where they made both of their free throws to tie things up again at 36.
• With 1:14 left, the Lions raced down the court hitting a three pointer from the corner to give them a six-point lead heading into the fourth.

FOURTH QUARTER

• A pair of free throws cut the Lions lead to six with 9:34 left.
• The Lions went on a 6-0 run and the lead quickly extended to double digits.
• Sarah Liberatore ended their scoring run with an and one play that sent her to the line, but the Lions answered with an 8-0 run and the lead grew to 17 with 3:25 to go.
• The Panthers ended the game on a 6-0 run, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Roberts and Acampora both finished with 10 points and three assists.
• Vaitekunaite tallied eight points and five rebounds.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech is now 53-23 in the all-time series against Saint Leo.  
• Florida Tech shot 29% (16-56) from the field, 14% (2-14) from behind the three-point line, and 81% (21-26) from the free-throw line.
• The Panthers led in bench points (22-15), second chance points (12-10), and fast break points (4-0).
• Saint Leo shot 45% (24-53) from the field, including 28% (5-18) from the three, and 83% (15-18) at the line.
• Saint Leo led in rebounds (45-28), points in the paint (34-20), and assists (18-13).
• Both teams had 10 steals.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will be home this weekend as they take on Rollins Saturday, Jan. 28^th. Tip-off is set for 2:00PM.
 
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