TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's basketball team dropped the first of two games in the Tampa Thanksgiving Classic to Bemidji State 68-58 on Friday afternoon.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 58, Bemidji State 68
Records: Florida Tech (2-3, 0-1 SSC), Bemidji State (3-1, 0-1 NSIC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• After Bemidji State got on the board first, Nandinkhusel Nyamjav responded immediately with a layup on the other end.
• The Beavers scored four straight, but the Panthers tied it up at 6–6 by getting to the line twice.
• Tech took its first lead off a Beaver turnover, which Amanda Ogbonna turned into an easy bucket. Tai Roberts then extended the lead to 10–6 with a midrange jumper.
• Capitalizing on turnovers, the quarter concluded with a 12–7 run.
• Nyamjav drained a massive three-pointer with 25 seconds left to keep it a three-point game, trailing 20–17.

SECOND QUARTER:

• Nyamjav earned her way to the line early in the quarter and hit both, making it a one-point game.
• The teams traded blows for four minutes before Bemidji State cashed in on back-to-back threes to take a 30–24 lead.
• A pair of free throws and a layup from Ogbonna brought the game back to a one-possession margin.
• Tech made 3 of 4 free throws to head into halftime down 39–34.

THIRD QUARTER:

• The Beavers allowed two Panther layups before rolling off 12 straight points.
• Nyamjav's basket at 3:55 stopped the run and sparked a 7–0 Tech surge to end the third quarter.
• Michaela Medico came up big in the final three minutes, grabbing a steal and then an offensive rebound that led to two second-chance free throws.
• Elif Bayrak scored the final four points of the quarter on one possession, getting fouled while knocking down a deep shot.

FOURTH QUARTER:

• Bemidji State came out firing in the fourth, draining two threes on back-to-back possessions. Two drives later, they hit two more for a 64-51 lead with 6:08 remaining.
• Ogbonna found space in the paint for two buckets under the rim, and Roberts followed by grabbing her own rebound for a putback, bringing Tech within seven.
• With three minutes left, the Panthers had opportunities but ultimately fell short, 68-58. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Tai Roberts and Nandinkhusel Nyamjav each tallied 15 points and were the top two rebounders with 10 and nine, respectively. Both also pulled in three offensive boards.
• Amanda Ogbonna recorded her first double-digit scoring game, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and one steal.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• This was the first-ever meeting between Tech and Bemidji State.
• In program history, Tech is 9–7 in neutral-site games played in Tampa.
• This marks Roberts' third career double-double and her first since a 17-point, 11-rebound performance against Embry-Riddle on February 3, 2024..

UP NEXT: Florida Tech is back in Bob Martinez Athletic Center for a fight against Davis and Elkins at noon on Saturday, November 29.

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.