TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's basketball team were unable to slow down Tampa, losing 83-59. Tampa scored almost half their points in the paint.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 59, Tampa 83
Records: Florida Tech (5-9, 2-6 SSC) | Tampa (14-4, 6-2 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.
FIRST QUARTER:
- After a 7-0 run by the Spartans, Kyandra Poitier put the Panthers on the board with a jumper. Dalma Ehmann followed with her jumper the next possession.
- Tampa scored six more unanswered points before Poitier stopped their run again with a layup to make it 13-6
- The Panthers outscored the Spartans 7-4 in the final five minutes to draw within six points at 17-11.
SECOND QUARTER:
- Nadine Johnson made her presence known in the second quarter off the jump with the first bucket.
- However, the Spartans answered by scoring seven consecutive points, sparked by a Sariana Rodriguez three-pointer.
- Johnson halted the run grabbing and offensive turned open layup, keeping Tech down by single digits. The freshman later hit a deep jumper for a 26-21 deficit and the Panthers' final points of the quarter.
- Tampa ended the half rattling off 10 straight points for the 36-21 halftime lead.
THIRD QUARTER:
- It was Mikayla Morin's turn in the third as she tallied six of the Panthers' first nine points of the quarter, starting with a second-chance layup. Tai Roberts' three-pointer were the other three points.
- Then Divine Guthrie, off the bench, got in the mix, cashing in on two jumper and free throws.
- Morin finished the quarter as strong as the start, recording the last four points for Tech. However, the Panthers were down 63-40 heading into the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER:
- Down 74-44, Sarah Liberatore drained back-to-back three-pointers in consecutive possessions. The deep shots didn't end there as Roberts cashed in on another on the following possession assisted by Liberatore.
- As the game was nearing its end, Deirdre Miller muscled her way to a layup, drawing the foul. She then finished the three-point play by hitting the free throw.
- Freshman Sydney Logsdon dropped her first career three-pointer as the final Panthers' basket, losing to the Spartans 83-59.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Mikayla Morin led Tech in scoring for the first time this season, registering 16 points on 8-for-14 shooting and four rebounds.
- Tai Roberts scored nine points because of her three three-point field goals on six attempts. Roberts led the team with four assists.
- Nadine Johnson was all over the glass, bringing down eight rebounds, including three offensive rebounds. She also helped defensively, swiping one steal and swatting one block.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Florida Tech is 35-50 against Tampa all-time and 10-30 on the road.
UP NEXT: Florida Tech goes from one ranked conference opponent to another, facing No. 20 Nova Southeastern at home on Saturday, January 18. The tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech women's basketball team, 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.