MIAMI SHORES, Fla. –  Despite a stellar first-quarter defensive performance, the Florida Tech women's basketball team allowed 27 made free throws, leading to a 62-48 loss to Barry on Saturday.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 48, Barry 62
Records: Florida Tech (4-8, 1-5 SSC) Barry (10-4, 3-3 SSC)
Location: Health & Sports Center | Miami Shores, Fla.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• The Panthers' defense was the story. They held the Buccaneers scoreless for the first two and a half minutes before Barry took a 2-0 lead.
• Mikayla Morin began the game with a blocked shot and then made back-to-back jumpers, putting Tech up 4-2. The Panthers would not give back the lead for the entire quarter.
• Both defenses stuffed the opposing offenses for the next minute and a half. However, Sarah Liberatore broke the drought with a layup and followed it up with a considerable three-pointer on the next possession.
• Tech scored 11 unanswered points, taking a 13-2 lead before the next Buccaneers point.
• A Kyandra Poitier jumper extended the Panthers lead to 14, which would be the largest of the game.
• Barry rattled off six points in the final two minutes to cut the deficit to nine heading into the second quarter.

 SECOND QUARTER:

• The Buccaneers kept the momentum in the next quarter, scoring the first nine points, tying the game at 18 apiece. Barry would take their first lead since the beginning of the game with just under four minutes in the half.
• A jumper from Poitier and a layup from Jessica Lange had the Panthers within two points in the second half. Poitier scored four of the Panthers' six points in the quarter.

 THIRD QUARTER:

• The Panthers come out on fire, tallying six consecutive points, highlighted by a Liberatore three-pointer to start the quarter.
• However, the Buccaneers would drop in two layups, tying the game at 30-30. That would start a 9-0 stretch for Barry.
• McKenzie Winder subbed in and immediately made a baseline layup, keeping the game within three points.
• Barry ended the third on a 7-2 run for the 42-34 lead, heading into the final 10 minutes.

 FOURTH QUARTER:

• Liberatore again recorded the first Tech points of the quarter, first with a layup, then draining her third and final three-pointer.
• However, Barry's Audrey Jennings hit three free throws and a field goal, extending the Buccaneers lead to 47-50. Eventually, Barry made it 52-39 for their largest game lead.
• Tech fought to a seven-point deficit but could never draw closer, losing to Barry 62-48.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sarah Liberatore led the Panthers with 14 points, making three shots beyond the arch. She also grabbed two boards and two assists.
• Nadine Johnson and Kyandra Poitier were all over the boards, each hauling seven rebounds.
• Jessica Lange swatted three Barry shots.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• The Panthers are still 46-38 all-time against the Buccaneers.
• Tai Roberts grabbed her 300^th rebound, making her the first Panther since Gudlaug Juliusdottir in February 2020.
• Sarah Liberatore became the second-leading scorer of the decade (2020s), moving past Severine Uggen

 UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns home to host Lynn at the Clemente Center on Wednesday, January 8. The tip-off is set for 5:30 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.