MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Panthers controlled the game from the first quarter onward with a large presence in the paint, grabbing rebounds and layups to a 69-60 victory. The key to securing the Panthers spot in the SSC Tournament was outrebounding the Buccaneers 44 to 29.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 69, Barry 60
Records: Florida Tech (9-17, 6-13 SSC), Barry (7-8, 4-14 SSC)
Location: Health & Sports Center | Miami Shores, Fla.
 
FIRST QUARTER:

• Barry came out strong with a steal turned layup and two three pointers for the 8-3 edge halfway through the quarter.
• Tech began dominating the paint and boards, rattling off six unanswered points helped by five rebounds, including three offensive rebounds, taking a 11-8 lead.
• With a 1:10 remaining, Elif Bayrak landed two triples, one coming in the final seconds, giving the Panthers a 19-13 advantage through 10 minutes.

SECOND QUARTER:

• Keeping the six-point lead for the first two minutes before expanding to a difference of 15 by two made jumpers from Tai Roberts and another Bayrak deep ball.
• Tech's defense forced Barry to three consecutive shots before Amanda Ogbonna capitalized on an offensive rebound, putting the Panthers up 36-22 with 1:53 left.
• Ogbonna and Roberts cashed in on two more field goals before the end, keeping it a 14-point game at 40-26.

THIRD QUARTER:

• Roberts drilled a three-point to begin the third then Bayrak put up a jumper following a Mikayla Morin rebound.
• Both defenses held tight the next two minutes, but Barry would end the stale mate but would still be behind 45-30.
• Despite a push from the Buccaneers, the Panthers continued to feed the paint leading to four made free throws from Ogbonna, two after being fouled on a offensive rebound.
• Remingtyn Smith and Michaela Medico drop layups under a minute to go in the third, having the Panthers take a 55-39 lead to the final quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

• The Buccaneers scored seven of the quarters first nine points but would still be losing by 11.
• Then Bayrak and Roberts made midrange jumpers, increasing the Panthers sizable lead with 5:53 remaining in the game.
• Every time Barry strung along consecutive field goals, Tech would find more points, taking a 69-52 lead with less than two minutes left.
• After Roberts hit the Panthers final basket at 1:51, the Buccaneers made three free throws and hit a final triple with two seconds on the clock.
• However, the gap was too wide and the Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 69-60.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Tai Roberts was the game leader in points with 21 on 9-for-16 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds and three assists.
• Amanda Ogbonna was all over the glass, bringing down 13 rebounds including 5 offensive rebounds. She would also record a double-double with 14 points.
• Mikayla Morin grabbed 10 rebounds and registered nine points.
• Elif Bayrak scored 13 while hitting three triples.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Tech are 48-39 all-time against Barry with now a 20-20 record in Miami Shores.
• It's the Panthers' first win in Miami Shores since a 78-65 victory on March 7, 2021. Their last win at the Health and Sports Center in front of fans was a 79-68 victory on December 16, 2019. 
• The Panthers sweep Barry for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
• Tech is SSC Tournament bound for the first time in a full 20-game conference season since 2020.

UP NEXT: Tech hosts the final regular season game at the Clemente Center against Lynn on Saturday, February 28. The game will tipoff at 2 p.m. with Senior Day recognition starting 15 minutes prior.

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