The Florida Tech women got a key Sunshine State Conference over Barry on Monday, beating the Bucs 79-68 in Miami Shores.
Florida Tech (6-4, 2-2 SSC) got 22 points from November Morton, and 19 from Severine Uggen. Gudlaug Juliusdottir added 13 in the win.
This game turned in the fourth quarter when the Buccaneers were whistled for five fouls less than two minutes into the stanza. With that, the Panthers hit 14-of-16 free throws in the quarter and put this one out of reach.
The Panthers were outscored 17-14 in the first quarter as Barry benefitted from a 6-0 run, and Florida Tech finished the quarter hitting three of their last 10 shots, including 1-of-7 from three-point range.
The second quarter saw both teams heat up from three-point range, and Amanda Allen’s three-ball with just over five minutes left, gave the visitors a 28-27 lead, their first advantage of the game. A three from NBA range by Uggen gave the Panthers a 31-27 lead.
Barry would end the quarter with a scoring drought of 3:36, and the Panthers led 35-29 heading to the locker room.
Florida Tech’s shooting struggles reared their head again in the third quarter, as Batty went on a 6-0 run, while the Panthers failed to score in 2:39. That closed the gap to 42-41, before Uggen’s three-ball made it 45-41. Fanny Paulin hit another three to make it 50-46, only to see Barry eventually tie it at 51.
Aniquah Swan drained two free throws near the end of the quarter, giving the Panthers a 53-51 lead, heading into the fourth quarter.
A three by Harriet Swindells gave the Bucs a one-point lead 55-54, 16 seconds into the quarter but two very questionable fouls were called on Barry in quick succession, and the Panthers led 55-54. A three by Allen made it 60-54 with seven minutes to go in the game, as part of a 12-0 run, giving Tech a commanding 65-54 lead.
Barry cut the lead to nine a couple of times in the last two minutes, but Morton would hit two free throws with nine seconds left, giving the Panthers their final margin of victory.
For more info: Florida Tech @ Barry Box Score
The Panthers are back at the Clemente Center on Thursday for the Florida Tech Holiday Classic. They will play William Jewell College at noon Thursday and be right back at it Friday against Pittsburg State University. That game tips at noon as well.