BILLINGS, MONT.- The Florida Tech women's basketball team had its second game of the Conference Commissioners Challenge: Tip off Classic at the Tail Head hosted by Montana State University Billings Saturday night. The Panthers faced off against the Minot State Beavers which saw Tech fall short 72-63.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 63, Minot State 72
Records: Florida Tech (0-2, 0-0 SSC) | Minot St. (1-1, 0-0 NSIC)
Location: Alterowitz Gymnasium| Billings, Mont.
FIRST QUARTER
- Emma Mogen's jumper started off the game, putting Minot State up 2-0.
- Tai Roberts Layup got the Panthers on the board at 2-2, off an assist from Lina Stranger-Johannessen.
- Olivia Stephens free throw gave Tech it's first lead 5-4.
- A layup, followed by two threes from the Beavers gave them the 12-5 lead.
- Following two free throws from Roberts, the Panthers trailed 12-7, before Shawna Bruha hit a three to put the beavers ahead 15-7.
- In the final 3:30 minutes of the 1st quarter, Minot State and Tech each recorded five points as the Beavers would lead 20-12 at the end of the first.
SECOND QUARTER
- Another three by the Beavers increased their lead to 23-12 to start off the second quarter.
- Trailing 28-12, two Breazia Robinson layups helped the Panthers look to comeback, down 31-16.
- Free throws from Stranger-Johannessen and Olivia Stephens brought Tech deficit to trail by just 12, down 31-19.
- Two more made free throws by Divine Guthrie of Tech, shortened Minot States lead to 31-21.
- A layup and three by the Beavers increased their lead to 36-21.
- Stephens three helped get Tech's offense going, followed by a Emily Acampora jumper for two as the Panthers made it a 10 point game, still trailing 26-26.
- Roberts hit a layup at the Buzzer as the Panthers would still trail 39-28 with just an 11-point deficit heading into halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
- A layup from Acampora and jumper from Roberts helped the Panthers comeback to withing five as Minot State led 39-32.
- Two made free throws by Sarah Liberatore and one from Ktandra Parker still had Tech trailing by six, now down 45-39.
- Two threes in a row from Sydney Gustavsson and Bruha allowed the Beavers to extend their lead to 51-39.
- Three field goals by Roberts allowed the Panthers to trail by just eight at 53-45 heading into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Roberts continued her dominance into the fourth quarter, starting it off with a layup to put the Panthers back within six.
- Jessica Lang's layup allowed Tech to make it a four-point game.
- Following a free throw from Minot State, two made free throws from Roberts made it now a three-point game as the Panthers trailed 54-51.
- A jumper from Stranger-Johannessen now made it a one-point game, 54-53, before Lorelei McIver hit a layup to put Minot State back up 56-53.
- A Stephens backdoor cut kept the Panthers in the fight, trailing 60-58 with 3:25 to go in the fourth.
- Acampora hit a big three with 1:22 to go to put the Panthers within two points of tying the Beavers, trailing 65-63.
- Two Layups by the Beavers increased their lead to 69-63 with 0:45 remaining in the game.
- As the clock expired Minot State would come away with the 72-63 win.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Tai Roberts led the Panthers going 7-11 on field goals and 4-4 on free throws finishing with 18 points.
- Olivia Stephens recorded eight rebounds in the game.
- Stranger-Johannessen and Roberts both recorded four assists.
- Jessica Lange tallied a team high three blocks in the game
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- After their first ever meeting, the Panthers are now 0-1 all-time against Minot State
- The Panthers shot 47.9% (23-48) from the field, 23.1% (3-13) from beyond the arc and 70% (14-20) from the free throw line.
- Minot State shot 43.9% (25-57) from the field, 44.8% (13-29) from beyond the three and 53.9% (9-17) from the free throw line.
- Minot State led in rebounds (33-32), assists (16-15).
- The Panthers led in blocks (4-1) and steals (8-5).
UP NEXT: The Panthers will next take on No. 15 Montana State at 12:45 PM (EST) on Sunday, November 5th in the Panthers final game of the Conference Commissioners Challenge: Tip off Classic at the Tail Head.
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