Florida Tech Seeks Perfection Against Palm Bay

By  //  January 5, 2015

Tiesha Flagler and the Panthers look to move to 12-0 when they face Palm Beach Atlantic at home Tuesday. ( FIT image )
Tiesha Flagler and the Florida TechPanthers look to move to 12-0 when they face Palm Beach Atlantic at home Tuesday. ( FIT image )

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – After a near scare from Saint Leo in last Saturday’s 80-78 overtime squeaker, Florida Tech hopes to get back to its dominant ways in a home rematch with Palm Beach Atlantic Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Having scored in double figures in six straight contests, guard Shequana Harris exploded for a career-high 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting in the Panthers’ 11th straight victory over the weekend.

Her seven consecutive points to begin the overtime period lifted the club on an afternoon in which Florida Tech’s shooters struggled.

Kaila Callender
Kaila Callender

It was senior Kaila Callender, however, that knocked down the timely three-point bucket to put the dagger in the Lions. Previously 0-of-4 from deep, the Sunshine State Conference’s leading three-point shooter never hesitated on a feed from Kayk Wilson with 33 seconds left, and kept the Panthers perfectly atop the league standings.

With a slight break in conference action, the Crimson and Gray will welcome Palm Beach Atlantic, having never lost in program history to the Sailfish.

The two met back on Nov. 18 with the Panthers stealing an 87-75 victory in their season opener.

The backcourt tandem of Harris and Wilson combined to score 50 points in the win, but it took timely baskets down the stretch by Harris and forward Jasmire Brown to firmly put the game out of reach.

Head coach John Reynolds’ team had their hands plenty full in the contest with sophomore Ayanna Holmes. The Jupiter, Fla. native bullied her way inside to record 20 points and 16 boards on the evening.

Holmes enters Tuesday averaging 8.4 points and 7.5 rebounds for the year.

The Sailfish (5-10) hope to reverse their fortune after dropping four in a row, including a 58-42 decision to Rollins last Saturday.

Florida Tech Wins OT Thriller 80-78, Stays PerfectRelated Story:
Florida Tech Wins OT Thriller 80-78, Stays Perfect

Led by coach Carlos Palacio, Palm Beach Atlantic has gone 1-5 against SSC competition this season, but their lone win came in a 76-63 drubbing of Saint Leo.

PBA is paced by the play of Nina Krstic and Nkiru Anyagaligbo, averaging 10.3 and 10.2 points per game respectively.

For complete coverage of Tuesday’s non-conference contest, log onto FloridaTechSports.com

Jim Mitchell and Paul Van Scott will have the call live from the Clemente Center.