Barry Shocks No. 20 Florida Tech In Women’s Basketball

By  //  February 19, 2015

Barry shot 50% from 3-point line

FITWBBall-580-1
No. 20 Florida Tech has made a living all year long playing its fast-tempo, high octane offensive style, but on Wednesday night Barry returned the favor in its 86-77 upset of the Panthers at the Clemente Center. (FIT Image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – No. 20 Florida Tech has made a living all year long playing its fast-tempo, high octane offensive style, but on Wednesday night Barry returned the favor in its 86-77 upset of the Panthers at the Clemente Center.

John Reynolds
John Reynolds

“We got outplayed,” said head coach John Reynolds.

“Listen, sometimes you just have to give credit to your opponent. “It’s the end of the season, so everybody’s fighting for their life. They were better in transition, and beat us at our own game.”

Florida Tech entered the evening as the Sunshine State Conference’s most prolific three-point shooting team, but it was the Buccaneers that drilled 12-of-24 from deep, including Nyjah Porcher’s go-ahead trey with 1:11 remaining in the ballgame.

The Panthers seemed destined to pull away in the second half, but Barry responded each and every time down the floor.

Kaylia Richardson
Kaylia Richardson

When it wasn’t a three, it was leading-scorer Kaylia Richardson giving the Panthers fits.

The senior was limited to five points on 2-of-10 from the field in the Jan. 14 meeting, but tonight bullied her way inside for a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds, earning a whopping 17 free-throw attempts in the process.

“Kaylia Richardson killed us today,” said Reynolds. “We had no answer for her. The guys that needed to play big for Barry, played big. Give them credit.”

Facing its largest deficit of the first half at 43-35 with 1:15 to go, Florida Tech stormed back and tied things up on a Kayk Wilson three-pointer as the halftime buzzer sounded.

Up by as many as four in the second half, the Panthers relinquished the lead after Amra Elezovic’s back-to-back triples pushed the Bucs ahead with 10:56 remaining.

Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame Induction FridayRelated Story:
Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame Induction Friday

 

However, Florida Tech would respond with a 9-2 run of its own to jump back in front by two possessions.

Knotted at 77 with 2:29 on the clock, Barry recorded the game’s final nine points to hand Florida Tech only its second home loss of the season.

“They had way too many open looks,” said Reynolds when asked about his team’s defense. “We didn’t match up well, and that starts with communication.”

Jasmire Brown
Jasmire Brown

Four Panthers scored in double digits, led by Jasmire Brown’s 19 points and five rebounds.

Wilson added 17, while Rosie Hynes and Shequana Harris chipped in with 13 and 12, respectively.

FIT will look to rebound in a crucial SSC showdown with Nova Southeastern Saturday at 2 p.m.

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

Prior to the game, the Panthers will recognize their seniors Brown, Kaila Callender, Melissa Echols, Hynes and Wilson.