JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five Panthers score in double-digits as the Panthers score 70 in a 70-65 win at Edward Waters on Friday night. Coach Ashley Raley-Ross earns her first career victory in her very first game.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 70, Edward Waters 65
Records: Florida Tech (1-0, 0-0 SSC), Edward Waters (0-1, 0-0 SIAC)
Location: Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex | Jacksonville, Fla.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• Edward Waters opened the game with a long possession capped by a three-pointer after multiple offensive rebounds, taking a 3–0 lead.
• Both teams struggled to find rhythm early due to turnovers, trading midrange jumpers under the seven-minute mark.
• Tech broke through at 6:31 when Nandinkhusel Nyamjav knocked down a lane jumper, then added another at 5:50 to pull within one.
• The Tigers answered with back-to-back threes, but Elif Bayrak responded with the first triple of her college career to cut it to 10–9.
• Amanda Ogbonna settled the Panthers with two midrange jumpers and a free throw, while Mikayla Morin added a defensive board that turned into a fastbreak chance.
• EWU closed the quarter with consecutive layups to take a 17–14 lead after one.

SECOND QUARTER:

• Florida Tech flipped the momentum with high-pressure defense and efficient scoring.
• Nyamjav ripped the ball free from a Tiger guard and kicked it to Remingtyn Smith, who buried a three that energized the Panthers.
• Edward Waters responded with four straight points to push their lead to 23–17 — their largest of the game.
• Tech took over from there, going on a 16–7 run powered by four points each from Morin, Tai Roberts, and Nyamjav.
• In the final seconds, Morin grabbed her own miss, tipped it in, and drew a foul. Her and-one sent Florida Tech into halftime ahead 33–30.

THIRD QUARTER:

• Out of the locker room, Edward Waters scored two quick field goals to retake the lead at 9:06.
• A minute later, Roberts drove in for a layup, and Ogbonna knocked down two free throws to restore a 37–34 Tech advantage.
• The Tigers responded at the free-throw line and maintained a slim lead at the end of the period despite the Panthers staying within striking distance.

FOURTH QUARTER:

• Florida Tech closed with toughness and poise on both ends of the floor.
• Nyamjav and Roberts opened the quarter with back-to-back baskets to tie the game.
• Bayrak pulled down several key defensive rebounds, and Ogbonna scored inside to give Tech a 49–47 lead.
• EWU briefly tied it, but Smith answered with a midrange jumper, and Nyamjav converted a layup off a steal to push the lead to 53–50.
• With under three minutes left, Bayrak drilled her third three-pointer of the night, extending the margin and putting the finishing touch on an 18-point debut.
• Edward Waters continued attacking inside, but the Panthers closed out the game at the free-throw line, with Ogbonna, Nyamjav, and Roberts knocking down clutch freebies.
• Bayrak sealed it with strong defensive rebounding in the final minute as Florida Tech secured a 70–65 season-opening win.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Elif Bayrak, the Fresno State transfer, led the Panthers with 18 points and nearly had a double-double with a team-leading nine rebounds.
• Nandinkhusel Nyamjav scored 12, grabbed seven rebounds, tallied six assists, and swiped three steals. She also played all 40 minutes of the game.
• Amanda Ogbonna, Tai Roberts, and Mikayla Morin also scored in double figures.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Tech moved to 16-2 all-time versus Edward Waters and 5-1 on the road.
• Ashley Raley-Ross became the third Panther WBB coach to make their head coaching debut with the program against Edward Waters and the second to defeat the Tigers. Paul Ward lost his in 1986, while John Reynolds won his inaugural game the following season. 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech stays on the road to Blufton, South Carolina, to play the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Wednesday, November 19, at 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.