Panthers Enjoy Best Start In School History, 74-63 Win

By  //  January 7, 2015

Panthers stay perfect at 12-0

Florida-Tech-FIT-580-1
Florida Tech moved to a school-record 12-0 following its 74-63 win over Palm Beach Atlantic. (FIT image )

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Exceptional teams find ways to win even on their worst nights, and that’s just what newly 23rd-ranked Florida Tech did in taking care of Palm Beach Atlantic 74-63 at home on Tuesday evening.

The victory not only moved the Panthers to 12-0 on the season, but gave them their best start in program history.

From the tip, it appeared as though the Panthers would run Palm Beach Atlantic out of the gym. With a quick six points from Flagler, Florida Tech found itself out in front 13-4.

However, a bevy of careless passes allowed the Sailfish to climb back into the contest with a 10-2 run of their own, cutting the lead to 15-14 at the 13:54 mark of the opening half.

Nearly nine minutes in and Palm Beach Atlantic was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field, yet still trailed 20-19.

A put-back lay-up by Brown gave the Crimson and Gray some breathing room with a 27-20 advantage, but the Panthers would score just two points the final 6:17 of the half.

Looking flat, Florida Tech found itself behind for just the second time all year down 31-29 at the break.

Shequana Harris
Shequana Harris

Searching for a winning combination, Reynolds went to his bench early in the second half only to quickly funnel his starters back on the floor. Only this time they seemed to have awoken.

The lineup sparked a 14-2 run, including seven from guard Shequana Harris to stretch the lead to 13 with a little over nine minutes remaining.

Once again the Sailfish fought back, closing the gap to just five with 4:15 in the game.

Redshirt junior BreAnn Davis responded with a jumper in the lane plus the foul, allowing FIT to exhale with a nine-point advantage with under two minutes to play.

Having tallied 20 points and 16 boards in the teams’ previous meeting back on Nov. 18, Ayanna Holmes was limited to only five points and three rebounds this time around.

Senior Kayk Wilson chipped in 11 points, giving the Panthers four scorers in double figures on the night.

John Reynolds
John Reynolds

“When you’ve got that zero in the right-hand column you’re going to get everyone’s best shot,” said Reynolds.

“We were just out of sync tonight, but we had a minute and a half stretch there in the second half that was enough to decide the game.”

Forward Jasmire Brown led the way with a team-high 17 points, while Tiesha Flagler earned her second double-double of the year with yet another work-like effort.

“We know what we’re getting from Tie every night,” said head coach John Reynolds. “You know you’re going to get her best effort. Playing hard is a skill, and if it wasn’t everyone would do it.”

Clutch Free Throws Help Secure Win For Panthers, 72-70Related Story:
Clutch Free Throws Help Secure Win For Panthers, 72-70

FIT dives back into conference play when it welcomes Tampa Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

Live video, audio and stats will be available at FloridaTechSports.com

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