MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Panthers conclude their Holiday Classic, losing to Clayton State, 79-54.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 54, Clayton State 79
Records: Florida Tech (4-7, 1-4 SSC), Clayton State (3-8, 0-1 PBC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.
FIRST QUARTER:
- In her first career start, Nadine Johnson made the first few minutes count, starting with the opening six points of the game as Tech took an early 6-4 lead.
- Down 12-10, Tai Roberts ties the game up after grabbing an offensive rebound.
- Despite a missed shot, Kyandra Poitier immediately stole the ball right from the hands of a Laker, who got the rebound. Roberts forced a foul and made one to take the lead.
SECOND QUARTER:
- The quarter started with another offensive rebound turned basket, this time by Mikayla Morin, who put the Panthers up 15-14. Morin scored again in the paint on a great pass from Remington Smith dribbling up the sideline in the next possession.
- The Panther defense held the Lakers scoreless for two minutes before Clayton State hit a 15-foot jumper to make the score 19-17. The Lakers following possession drained a three for the lead.
- The Panthers' offensive drought ended with a McKenzie Winder baseline layup, tying the game up at 21 apiece. Tech would take the lead on an Emily Acampora free throw and mid-range jumper with under three minutes left in the half.
- The Lakers responded with a 7-0 run to hold their largest game lead at six points. Their lead extended before the half with a three, putting Clayton State ahead 35-28 at the half.
THIRD QUARTER:
- Clayton State began the third with a corner three to take a 10-point advantage.
- Morin responded by sprinting down the floor for an open basket off an Acampora pass down the court.
- Down 11, Poitier grabs her own miss and puts it back up and in while also drawing a foul for a three-point play.
- The Lakers pushed their lead to 20 off another 10-0 run in the middle part of the quarter. Clayton State held a 52-35 edge with two minutes remaining in the third.
- Tech fought back late in the quarter, going on a 7-0 run before Clayton State hit another three at the buzzer. At the end of the quarter, the Panthers were down 58-41.
FOURTH QUARTER:
- Roberts got the final quarter going with a layup in the first few seconds.
- Tech cut their deficit to 16 before Clayton State built it back up to 21 at the charity stripe.
- The Panther's offense struggled to score as the Lakers increased their lead even more, winning the game 79-54.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Off the bench, Tai Roberts scored 16 points, leading the team. She also hauled in five rebounds and swiped four steals
- Kyandra Poitier led the team with a season-high 12 rebounds.
- Divine Guthrie grabbed three steals along with scoring seven points
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- The Panthers are 2-2 all-time against the Lakers
- Fourth meeting of all time between the teams and the third in Melbourne, with the teams splitting the first two.
UP NEXT: Florida Tech is back in action against Barry for the first game of 2025 on January 4 in Miami Shores.
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