BILLINGS, Mont. – The Florida Tech women's basketball team's second-half comeback fell short against the fifteenth-ranked MSU-Billings Bears, in the team's final game of the Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead in Billings, Mont.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 59, No. 15 MSU-Billings 69
Records: Florida Tech (0-3, 0-0 SSC) | MSU-Billings (2-1, 0-0 GNAC)
Location: Alterowitz Gymnasium | Billings, Mont.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• Florida Tech opened the game on a 6-0 run that was capped off with a midrange jumper from Tai Roberts with 7:17 left in the quarter.
• Both teams exchanged threes for the next few minutes and the Panthers found themselves up 12-9 with five minutes to go in the period.
• A layup from Roberts and a free throw by Dalma Ehmann extended Tech's lead out to 15-9.
• A 7-2 run by the Bears cut into the lead and made it 17-16 with just over a minute left in the first.
• A layup by Kyandra Poitier in the final minute gave the Panthers a 19-16 lead heading into the second quarter.

 
SECOND QUARTER:

• MSU-Billings tied the game up with a three-point jumper on the opening possession of the quarter.
• Both teams went back-and-forth trading shots and possession and found themselves tied at 26-26 midway through the period.
• Following a media timeout, the Bears took a two-point lead with a basket from Aspen Giese. Tech answered back with a triple by Acampora to make it 29-28 with 3:08 on the clock.
• An exchange of free throws and a three-pointer for the Bears gave MSU-Billings a 32-30 lead heading into halftime.

 
THIRD QUARTER:

• A layup by Jessica Lange sparked an 8-3 run for the Panthers to begin the third quarter and retake the lead, 38-34, and force the Bears to take a timeout.
• MSU-Billings answered with two quick baskets to knot the game at 38-38 with just under six minutes left in the quarter.
• Both teams traded a few points until a layup by Kola Bad Bear put the Bears up 43-40 with 1:48 left on the clock.
• A trey from Acampora tied the game back up, but MSU-Billings answered with another to make it 46-43 heading into the final quarter.

 
FOURTH QUARTER:

• A layup to start the fourth quarter gave the Bears their largest lead of the day to that point, 48-43.
• A Roberts layup and two free throws from Poitier brought the Panthers within one, 48-47.
• A few possessions later, a jumper from Roberts and layup by Lina Stranger-Johannessen gave Tech a 53-51 lead with 5:10 left to play.
• With the game tied at 56-56, the Bears went on an 11-2 run to jump out to a 67-58 lead with just 30 seconds remaining.
• Both teams knocked down some free throws in closing seconds to give the game its final score of 69-59.

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Emily Acampora tied the Bears' Kola Bad Bear with a game-high 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. Her 17 points were also a career high.
• Tai Roberts added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
• Lina Stranger-Johannesson chipped in five points, four rebounds, and four assists.

 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• In the program's first matchup with MSU-Billings, Florida Tech moves to 0-1 against the Bears.
• The Panthers shot 36.7% (22-for-60) from the field, 38.9% (7-for-18) from beyond the arc and 47.1% (8-17) from the free throw line.
• MSU-Billings shot 35.6% (21-for-59) from the field, 32.0% (8-for-25) from beyond the three, and 82.6% (19-for-23) from the free throw line.
• MSU-Billings led in rebounds (43-36) and assists (16-10).
• The Panthers led in steals (9-7).

 
UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to the Sunshine State and will travel to Saint Leo, Fla. for the Saint Leo Conference Challenge on Friday, Nov. 10. The Panthers will battle with Clark Atlanta University at 3 p.m. at the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
 
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech women's basketball, 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.