MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's basketball team lost their SSC opener 84-72 against Saint Leo. The Panthers held the lead at the end of the first three quarters but could not stop the Lions' offense in the fourth quarter.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 72, Saint Leo 84
Records: Florida Tech (3-2, 0-1 SSC), Saint Leo (4-0, 1-0 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• Mikayla denies the Lion's first possession with a block and a rebound. Then, Sarah Liberatore cashes in on a three-pointer on the other end, giving the Panthers the early lead.
• After a Tai Roberts layup, Saint Leo scored four straight points to go up 6-5 with six minutes left in the quarter.
• But the Panthers would rebound with a great Divine Guthrie outlet pass over a defender to Dalma Ehmann in the paint, taking back the lead. B
• Roberts's steal on a baseline inbound pass made it an easy basket for an 11-10 Panthers edge.
• Mid-range jumpers by Ehamm, Roberts, and Breazia Robinson pushed Tech's lead to five, wrapping up the opening quarter.

SECOND QUARTER:

• Despite giving up the first basket, Robinson helped Tech bounce back immediately, getting to the rim and causing an and-one opportunity.
• The Panthers' mid-range game was on fire as Emily Acampora and Roberts hit back-to-back for a seven-point lead four minutes into the quarter.
• Both teams struggled to score for the middle three minutes. With under three minutes remaining in the half, the Panthers held a 26-20 lead.
• A layup and a three-pointer by the Lions helped them draw within one point at the two-minute mark.
• Florida Tech went into the half with the 34-30 lead after a few free throws and a tip-in basket.

THIRD QUARTER:

• Ehmann wasted no time extending the Panthers lead, converting on an and-one attempt on the second half's opening possession.
• Saint Leo slowly fought back into the game, tying the game at 41 apiece almost halfway through the quarter.
• Tied 43-43, Robinson muscles her way to the basket, converting the layup and the free throw for a three-point play.
• The Panthers pushed the lead back up to seven when Sarah Liberatore drained a corner three with three minutes remaining.
• Tech remained two scores ahead going into the final 10 minutes of the game.

 FOURTH QUARTER:

• Despite the slow start and Saint Leo closing the gap to a one-point difference, Ehmann found the basket to hold onto the lead. However, the Lions hit two threes to take the 64-61 advantage.
• Down 69-63, Acampora made something on defense by blocking the Lion's shot.
• The Lions' offensive explosion scorched the game's final five minutes, leading to an 83-70 loss.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Off the bench, Breazia Robinson led all Panthers' scorers with 17 points, a career high at Florida Tech. She also grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds and three assists.
• It was another double-figure game for Tai Roberts, who scored 13 points while also tallying five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
• Dalma Ehmann and Sarah Liberatore also scored in the double digits with 11 and 12 points, respectively.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• The Panthers are still 54-25 against the Lions all-time and 32-9 at home.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech have another quick turnaround, facing Rollins College Tuesday, November 26, in the Clemente Center.
 
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