Florida Tech Cruises Past Embry-Riddle In Home Opener 75-65
By Florida Tech // November 22, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Competing at the Clemente Center for the first time this season, Florida Tech was excited to have home court advantage on its side as the team prepared to face Sunshine State Conference provisional member Embry-Riddle Saturday.
DeLise Williams opened the scoring with a lay-up on the Panthers’ (3-0) first possession of the contest. From there, the team never looked back, cruising to a 75-65 victory over the Eagles (1-1).
FIT led by as many as 20 points in the game after receiving a significant contribution from Shequana Harris, who finished with a season-high 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
The junior guard also converted 8-of-10 from the line to go along with her two rebounds and two steals
Julie McCarthy recorded 12 points in the game, including 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, and Williams added 11 points and two rebounds for the Panthers. Tiesha Flagler also reached double-digits, scoring 10 points in the win.
FIT jumped up early on the Eagles to lead 28-18 at the end of the first quarter, and 45-34 at halftime. The Panthers extended their lead in the third period by outscoring ERAU by two in the stanza (20-18). However, both clubs struggled to get a flow going in the fourth as the teams combined for only 23 points in the final quarter.
ERAU received double-digit contributions from four players in the game. Mercedes Jorge led the way with 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. Taylor Cyphers finished with 11 points, including 2-of-2from long range, and five rebounds for the Eagles. Sabrina Whiting and Ashley McWilliams each tallied 10 points in the game.
The Panthers came out hot in the first half, making 51.5 percent of their shots compared to 37.5 by the Eagles. However, as the game progressed, both teams found it more difficult to score. In the second half, FIT managed just 29.2 percent shooting, while ERAU converted at a 36.7 percent clip.
The Eagles were10-of-29 from three-point range in the contest, making one more than what the Panthers attempted in the game. FIT stuck to its game plan this season of attacking the paint and trying to draw contact. It worked for the Panthers, as it led to 32 free throw attempts, of which the team converted 23.
Florida Tech will have a quick turnaround as they host SSC foe, No. 4-ranked Nova Southeastern at the Clemente Center Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Jim Mitchell and Paul Van Scot will have the call from the Clemente Center. Fans can access live coverage of Panther home games at FloridaTechSports.com/live.
A full box score from the Panthers’ victory will be available at FloridaTechSports.com later today.
