TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's basketball team left Tampa with an 87-66 loss on Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 66, Tampa 87
Records: Florida Tech (4-9, 1-5 SSC), Tampa (8-6, 3-2 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
FIRST QUARTER:
- Tampa opened the scoring early, but Elif Bayrak answered with a three at 8:52 to give Florida Tech its first lead.
- Bayrak stayed hot from deep, drilling another triple at 7:57 as the teams traded baskets early.
- The game went back and forth through the middle of the quarter, with Tampa using transition chances to gain a slight edge.
- Florida Tech generated quality looks from beyond the arc, while Tampa capitalized on second-chance opportunities.
- Amanda Ogbonna provided a spark off the bench with two free throws and a late tip-in to keep the Panthers close.
- Tampa closed the quarter with a fast-break three, taking a 22–14 lead into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER:
- Tampa began the second quarter by converting at the line and quickly pushed its advantage into double figures, opening a 24–14 lead within the first minute.
- Bayrak jump-started the Panthers with a second-chance putback at the 8:17 mark, though Tampa responded with a three to keep momentum.
- The Spartans took advantage of transition chances, extending the margin to 33–16 after consecutive fast-break layups.
- Nandinkhusel Nyamjav gave Tech a boost off the bench, connecting on a three-pointer at 5:24 to slow Tampa's surge.
- Tampa continued to score inside and from the perimeter, growing its lead to a half-high 18 points with under four minutes to play.
- Nyamjav knocked down another triple at 3:40, followed by a Bayrak three at 1:11, providing late offensive energy for the Panthers.
- Florida Tech closed the half with momentum, but Tampa finished strong from deep to take a 47–29 lead into halftime.
THIRD QUARTER:
- Florida Tech opened the second half with purpose, as Sydney Logsdon knocked down a three-pointer at 9:49 to ignite the Panther offense.
- Bayrak kept the momentum going moments later, draining a triple and converting a free throw at 9:14 to chip away at the deficit.
- The Panthers stayed aggressive, with Logsdon connecting from deep again at 8:50 and Tai Roberts finishing a second-chance layup at 8:06.
- Defensive intensity set the tone throughout the quarter, highlighted by key blocks from Amanda Ogbonna and Mikayla Morin to slow Tampa's inside game.
- Roberts added to the surge with a fast-break layup at 6:01, capitalizing on a turnover to keep Tech pushing forward.
- Morin and Ogbonna made their presence felt in the paint, combining for multiple interior scores to keep the Panthers within reach.
- Tech closed the period on a high note, as Roberts buried a second-chance three at 0:53 and Michaela Medico added a late basket to finish the run.
FOURTH QUARTER:
- Florida Tech began the period with a firm interior focus, as Ogbonna finished through contact and later completed a three-point play on a second-chance opportunity.
- The Panthers remained active on the boards, earning extra possessions behind offensive rebounds from Ogbonna, Bayrak, and Roberts.
- Bayrak, Morin, and Roberts secured key defensive rebounds to help limit Tampa's opportunities on the offensive glass.
- Even as Tampa widened the gap, Tech kept pace, attacking in transition and creating scoring chances.
- Bayrak connected from long range late in the quarter to highlight the Panthers' perimeter attack.
- Florida Tech finished the game with a strong effort, punctuated by a late fast-break basket and a free throw from Roberts in the closing seconds.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Elif Bayrak dropped 21 points on six made three-pointers. She became the fourth Panther to have multiple games with six or more threes in a career.
- Amanda Ogbonna and Tai Roberts also scored in double digits.
- Ogbonna also tallied two steals and a block.
- Four Panthers had three assists.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Roberts surpassed 1,100 points in her career, making her the 11th Panther to do so.
UP NEXT: Florida Tech remains on the road, traveling to Boca Raton on Wednesday, January 7. The Panthers will take on Lynn 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.