MELBOURNE, Fla. – Deirdre Miller had career-high marks in points, field goals made and three-point field goals made but the Panthers fall two points shy in a 53-51 tightly contest match against Rollins.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 51, Rollins 53
Records: Florida Tech (7-14, 4-10 SSC), Rollins (7-14, 2-12 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER:

• Tech opened the scoring inside as Amanda Ogbonna finished two early layups to give the Panthers a quick spark in the paint.
• At the six-minute mark, Miller got a hand on a Tars' shot then hit the midrange jumper on the other end to tie the game at six apiece.
• A Rollins' three briefly swung momentum, but Tech responded at the free-throw line as Tai Roberts converted after drawing contact.
• The Panthers continued to battle on the glass, creating extra possessions that led to an Elif Bayrak three-pointer midway through the quarter.
• Both teams traded paint scores late as Florida Tech stayed aggressive driving to the rim.
• Roberts capped the quarter by converting three free throws in the final second, giving Tech a slim 16–15 edge heading into the second.

SECOND QUARTER:

• After multiple offensive rebounds, Michaela Medico took it to the basket and finished to extend the Panthers lead a minute and a half into the quarter.
• Rollins answered with perimeter shooting, reclaiming the advantage on a three-pointer at 6:54 as the teams continued to trade momentum.
• Tech stayed aggressive defensively and in transition, forcing a turnover that led to a Miller fast-break three to tie the game at 21–21.
• Back-to-back triples from Miller swung the momentum fully in Tech's favor, pushing the Panthers ahead midway through the quarter.
• Ogbonna added an inside finish at 3:03, keeping Florida Tech in front during a stretch of tight possessions.
• The Panthers continued to answer Rollins baskets late, with Roberts and Miller combining to maintain a slim edge.
• Tech closed the half clinging to a narrow lead after a back-and-forth final minute, heading into the break with a 29–28 advantage.

THIRD QUARTER:

• Rollins took a lead early in the second half with a layup in the first possession.
• The Tars went on a 5-0 run before it was halted by another Miller three-pointer from the corner at 7:19.
• Tech had timely perimeter shooting, including a Deirdre Miller three and a Tai Roberts triple to keep the game within one possession.
• Back-and-forth scoring followed, with both teams trading threes as momentum swung multiple times.
• Florida Tech briefly pulled ahead behind strong ball movement and outside shooting, highlighted by another Miller three.
• Rollins responded late with consecutive triples to regain the lead heading into the final minute.
• Roberts knocked down a clutch three in the closing seconds to keep Tech within two.
• The Panthers closed the quarter trailing just 47–45, setting up a tight fourth quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

• The quarter opened with several empty possessions on both ends before Rollins evened the score at 47–47 on a Craig putback at the 9:06 mark.
• Tech regained momentum midway through the quarter when Michaela Medico converted a tip-in off an offensive rebound to put the Panthers back in front, 49–47.
• Defensive stops and rebounding kept the Panthers ahead as Bayrak pushed the lead to four with a pair of fast-break free throws at 6:10.
• Rollins continued to pressure inside, trimming the margin to one on multiple possessions and eventually taking a brief 52–51 lead on a fast-break layup with 2:31 remaining.
• Tech answered with defensive intensity, forcing a late turnover and creating chances at the offensive end, though shots narrowly missed in the final minutes.
• Free throws down the stretch proved critical as Rollins edged ahead 53–51 at the line with 1:14 left.
• The final possessions featured tight defense and timeouts on both sides, with neither team finding a late field goal before the horn.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Deirdre Miller posted 16 points on 6-for-14 from the field and 4-for-9 from deep which were all career-highs.
• Tai Roberts led the team with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech travels to St. Petersburg to take on Eckerd on Saturday, February 7 at 2 p.m. ET.

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