The Florida Tech women’s basketball team were in control much of the way on Wednesday at Saint Leo, but a late push by the Lions helped them come away with a 67-61 conference victory.
After a good first half, the Panthers fell off a bit from the field in the second half.
Tereza Sedlakova led the Panthers offense with 13 points. Amanda Allen and Kailyn Ebb each had 10, and Gracie Doane and Gudlaug Juliusdottir each chipped in with nine. It wasn’t enough in the end, as the Lions outscored the Panthers 23-14 in the decisive fourth quarter.
Things started well for Florida Tech in the first quarter, as they hit six of their first eight shots and ended the first stanza shooting 7-for-11 and leading 16-14. It weas a pretty balanced quarter for the Panthers, as Sedlakova led with four points. Doane and Allen each had one three inthat first 10 minutes.
Florida Tech (5-9, 1-5 SSC) went through a 0-for-6 drought early in the second quarter but was able to lead 25-18 on the strength of a Sedlakova layup and a three by Doane. Saint Leo did not score for the better part of three minutes in the latter part of the quarter and a five-point run by November Morton, including her three, made it 31-21.
Allen hit another three with 27 seconds left in the half and the Panthers finished the second quarter five for their last seven. Saint Leo also shot well to end the half, hitting their last four shots. When all was said and done, the Panthers took a 36-28 lead into the break.
Florida Tech finished the half 13-for-26, including 5-for-11 behind the arc. The Lions were 12-for-23 (52.2 percent), and were 2-for-5 from long range.
Things went south for the Panthers in the second half, as they were 8-for-22 from the floor and 0-for-4 from three-point range.
Saint Leo (7-8, 2-5 SSC) was able to take advantage with an 8-0 run midway through the third quarter. Florida Tech turned the ball over four times in that span and the Lions outscored the Panthers 16-11 in the quarter and cut the deficit to 47-44 at the end of the third.
A thre-point play by Alani Gallagher tied the game at 47 and a bucket by Gina Brierley gave the Lions a 51-49 advantage. It was their first lead since they led 2-0 with 8:32 to go in the first quarter.
The game went see-sawed from there. The Panthers led 59-57 with 2:15 to go after two free-throws by Allen and led 61-60 with 1:36 to go, after a basket from Kailyn Ebb. Unfortunately, Saint Leo would grab the lead back when Gallagher laid it in with 37 seconds left, going up 62-61.
That would be the start of a 7-0 run for the Lions to end the game. They scored most of those from the free-throw line, as both Doane and Allen were unable to get the Panthers back into it, as they missed late threes.
For more info: Florida Tech @ Saint Leo Box Score
The Panthers road trip continues Saturday with a conference tilt against Lynn. The tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.