Tereza Sedlakova scored a game-high 24 points on Saturday and played all 40 minutes, helping the Florida Tech Panthers beat Barry 77-61 in a Sunshine State Conference showdown.
“If we don’t win today we don’t play in the postseason, because we wouldn’t even have the tiebreaker with the team in the eighth spot now, which is Barry,” said Panthers coach John Reynolds. “A loss today would have eliminated us.”
Sedlakova went 9-for-17 from the field and 6-for-12 at the free-throw line. She also pulled down nine rebounds and had a block and a steal.
“Probably the best all-around game Sedlakova’s played since she’s been here,” said Reynolds. “She rebounded the ball, she kept Barry from rebounding when she didn’t get the rebounds, she played solid post defense, she hedged hard, she made shots and she wanted the ball. I think that’s the best game, most complete game she’s had in her four years here.”
It was not only a complete game for Sedlakova, but for the Panthers as a team. They forced 21 turnovers and scored 30 points off those turnovers. They won the rebounding battle, 40-26, including 17-8 on the offensive glass.
“I thought our offensive rebounding is what kept that game tied in the first half, cause I thought we gave up some baskets we shouldn’t have,” said Reynolds.
As a team, the Panthers went 26-for-55 from the field, (47.3 percent). They were 19-of-34 from the free-throw line (55.9 percent), and went 6-for-14 from long range, helped by Gracie Doane going 3-for-6. She finished with 10 points.
Kailyn Ebb was the other Florida Tech player in double figures, going for 17 points.
The first quarter was even throughout with Barry grabbing a 13-9 lead at one point. Back to back threes by Doane tied things up at 15 with 1:50 to go. Sedlakova’s two free-throws with 21 seconds left, gave the Panthers a 20-17 lead at the horn.
The two teams started the second quarter keeping pace with one another. The Panthers would go up by five and Barry would cut it to three. A three-pointer by Ashleigh Pink tied the game at 29 with 4:33 left. A three by Amanda Allen put the Panthers back on top. but Barry hung around and when the first half ended, the game was knotted at 35.
Florida Tech (7-13, 3-9 SSC) started the second half on a 7-0 run before Lauren Seyranian hit a three for Barry. Doane answered that immediately, and the Panthers were up 45-38 with 6:17 to go in the third. That sparked an 8-0 run and put the Panthers up 50-38.
Barry kept fighting and got it to 53-47 with 2:51 to go, but the Panthers scored seven straight and led 63-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Panthers kept their foot on the gas to start the fourth. A three by Fanny Hakanson made it 68-52. Harriett Swindells answered it, but Hakanson would hit another three moments later and the Panthers went up 73-57 with 3:47 left.
The Panthers would only score four more points in that time, but that was more than enough.
For more info: Barry @ Florida Tech Box Score
The Panthers will now hit the road for a game in Lakeland on Wednesday, against Florida Southern. The Mocs’ are 19-1 overall, and 12-0 in the SSC. They are 10-0 at home and are currently riding a 16-game winning streak. Tipoff will be at 5:30 p.m.